Sarah Mitchell
France, historically known as the Eldest Daughter of the Church, has seen a decline in its Catholic population since the 1960s. Once the major religion in the country, the Catholic population has dwindled from 43% in 2008 to 25% in 2020, with a rise in those with no religion, and a growing Muslim population. This shift in the religious landscape has been attributed to various factors, including the sexual abuse crisis within the Church, the rise of migration, and the success of religious transmission in Muslim and Jewish families.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Catholics in France | 25% |
| Year when the percentage of Catholics was at 25% | 2020 |
| Percentage of Catholics in France in 2008 | 43% |
| Percentage of non-religious people in France | 53% |
| Percentage of Muslims in France | 10% |
| Percentage of French Muslims with children | 24% |
| Percentage of French Catholics with children | 12% |
| Percentage of generational reproduction rate for Islam | 91% |
| Percentage of generational reproduction rate for Jews | 84% |
| Percentage of generational reproduction rate for Catholics | 67% |
| Percentage of the population that was foreign-born in France in 2021 | 10.3% |
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What You'll Learn
- Catholicism was the major religion in France for over a millennium
- The decline of Catholicism in France began in the 1960s
- % of French people aged 18-59 declared themselves to be Catholic in 2020
- The rise of Islam and evangelical Protestantism in France
- The Catholic Church in France has been affected by the sexual abuse crisis
Catholicism was the major religion in France for over a millennium
Catholicism has a long and complex history in France, dating back to the early days of the country's formation. In 496, Remigius baptised Clovis I, who converted from paganism to Catholicism. Clovis I, considered the founder of France, allied himself with the papacy and his predominantly Catholic subjects. This set the religious tone for the country, which would be predominantly Catholic for over a millennium.
On Christmas Day 800, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, further solidifying the political and religious foundations of Christendom and the French government's longstanding association with the Catholic Church. The French aristocracy played a prominent role in the Crusades, and the Kingdom of France took over parts of the Byzantine Empire during the Fourth Crusade, a period known as Frankokratia. The French Catholic Church also played a role in the suppression of the Knights Templar in the 14th century, and the country hosted seven French popes in Avignon from 1309 to 1377, a period known as the Avignon Papacy.
The French Revolution (1789-1799) marked a significant shift in the country's religious landscape. The Catholic Church, which had been the official state religion, faced heavy persecution. The new revolutionary authorities suppressed the Church, confiscated property, and abolished the Catholic monarchy. This period, known as the Reign of Terror, saw mass executions of priests and bishops and the imprisonment of many religious figures. Despite this upheaval, Catholicism remained the dominant religion in France.
In the 20th century, France adopted Laïcité, absolute neutrality of the state with respect to religious doctrine, as the official policy of the French Republic. While this marked a move towards religious diversity and freedom, Catholicism remained a significant force in the country. After the First World War, national spirit was built around France's Catholic history and traditions, with figures like St Joan of Arc, who was canonised in 1920, becoming symbols of French Catholic pride.
However, in recent decades, Catholicism in France has been in decline. Several factors have contributed to this, including the sexual abuse crisis within the Church and a general disaffection with organised religion. The generational reproduction rate for Catholics is lower than that of other religious groups in France, such as Islam and Judaism. As a result, the number of people identifying as Catholic in France has dwindled, with only 25% of the population declaring themselves Catholic in recent years, while the number of those with no religion has risen to over 50%.
Despite this decline, there are signs of a resurgence, with some churches in Paris attracting younger Catholics and those from all walks of life. Traditionalist Catholic movements are gaining traction, particularly among the youth, and events like the annual Christendom Pilgrimage of Chartres are seeing increased participation. While the future of Catholicism in France remains uncertain, its long historical presence in the country has undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the country's culture and society.
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The decline of Catholicism in France began in the 1960s
The decline of Catholicism in France has been a slow process over several centuries, with some periods of revival. However, the steepest and most unexpected drop in Catholic affiliation in France occurred in the 1960s. From the early 1960s until 2020, the percentage of French people identifying as Catholic decreased from 97-98% to 25%.
In the late 18th century, on the eve of the French Revolution, France's population of 28 million was almost entirely Catholic. However, the French Revolution of 1789 posed problems for the Catholic Church. The Revolution brought about a new approach to financial reform, which involved the Church. On 4 August 1789, the clergy agreed to give up the tithe and allow the state to take control of Church property. On 26 August 1789, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen was adopted, making no recognition of the special position of the Catholic Church. This opened the way for further reforms that targeted the Church, casting doubt on the Revolution's motives.
In the 1960s, several factors contributed to the decline of Catholicism in France. One factor was the loss of credibility in structures of authority, which affected the Church. The sexual revolution that followed the May 1968 student and worker strikes marginalized celibacy and challenged the Church's authority. The revolution in entertainment also put worship in competition with more attractive leisure activities. Additionally, the general effects of consumerism and relativism influenced people's religious choices. Young people were the first to leave the Catholic Church during this period.
Another factor contributing to the decline of Catholicism in the 1960s was the slowing down or reversal of Vatican II reforms. The 1968 encyclical Humanae Vitae, which excluded the morality of contraception, was seen as a betrayal of the Council and dashed the hopes of ordinary Catholics, leading to a further exodus from the Church. The introduction of the Novus Ordo, which replaced the Tridentine Rite, also caused dissatisfaction among some Catholics.
The decline of Catholicism in France has continued in recent years, with the number of Catholics dwindling from 43% to 25% of the population in the last 12 years. The rise of other religions, such as Islam and evangelical Protestantism, has contributed to this decline. The generational reproduction rate for Islam is higher than that of Catholicism, and the steady increase in migration to France has fostered the growth of Islam and evangelical movements. While the sexual abuse crisis within the Catholic Church has been a factor in the decline, it did not start the exodus of Catholics from the Church in France.
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25% of French people aged 18-59 declared themselves to be Catholic in 2020
France, historically known as the "Eldest Daughter of the Church", has witnessed a downward trend in the number of its Catholic citizens since the 1960s. A recent survey, the Insee Trajectories and Origins survey (Téo 2), aimed at individuals aged 18-59, found that only 25% of French people in this age group declared themselves to be Catholic in 2020. This is a significant decrease from 43% just 12 years earlier in 2008.
The decline in Catholicism in France has been accompanied by a rise in those with no religious affiliation, often referred to as "nones", who now make up the majority of the French population at 53%. There has also been a rise in other religious groups, particularly Muslims, who now comprise an estimated 10% of France's population, and evangelical Protestants, who account for 9% of the population.
The reasons for the decline in Catholicism are multifaceted. One factor is the sexual abuse crisis within the Church, although this did not initiate the exodus of Catholics from the Church in France. The report also points to the greater success of Jewish and Muslim families in transmitting their religion to the next generation compared to Catholic families. The generational reproduction rate for Islam is 91%, 84% for Jews, and only 67% for Catholics.
Additionally, the rise in migration to France over the last few decades has contributed to the growth of Islam and evangelical movements. The steady increase in secularism and the wave of seminary closures have also played a role in the dwindling number of Catholics in the country. Despite the decline, there is evidence of a strong attachment to traditionalist movements, especially among young people, as seen in the increasing attendance of the annual Christendom Pilgrimage of Chartres.
The changing religious landscape in France underscores the complex dynamics of faith and belief in a country with a long history of Catholic dominance.
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The rise of Islam and evangelical Protestantism in France
France, a predominantly Catholic country, has witnessed a decline in the number of Catholics since the 1960s, with the rise of Islam and evangelical Protestantism.
The Rise of Islam in France
Islam is the second-largest religion in France, with approximately 9 million adherents, comprising about 13% of the national population. This marks a steady increase from 2023 when Muslims constituted around 10% of the adult population, or roughly 6.8 million people. The French overseas region of Mayotte has a predominantly Muslim population, with 97% of its people practising Islam. The majority of Muslims in France are Sunnis of foreign origin, with sizeable Shia and non-denominational Muslim minorities.
Islam has a long history in France, dating back to the conquest of Iberia and Gaul by the Umayyad forces, who annexed the entirety of the Iberian Peninsula and modern-day southern France before withdrawing in 732 AD. Muslim immigration, predominantly male, was significant in the late 1960s and 1970s, with many immigrants hailing from Algeria and other former French colonies in North Africa. The construction of the Great Mosque of Paris in 1922 symbolised recognition from the French Republic towards the Muslim tirailleurs, particularly those from Algeria.
Muslim religious practices have gained prominence in France. Mosque attendance for Friday prayers increased to 23% in 2008, up from 16% in 1994. Ramadan observance also rose during this period, reaching 70% in 2008 compared to 60% in 1994. Alcohol consumption, forbidden in Islam, declined from 39% to 34% during the same period. Muslims in France have organised themselves into several principal federations, often along national origin lines, with notable associations including the Grande Mosquée de Paris and the Union des Organisations Islamiques de France (UOIF).
The Rise of Evangelical Protestantism in France
Evangelical Protestantism has contributed to a renewed interest in Protestantism in France, while the membership of Calvinist and Lutheran churches has stagnated. Many Evangelical Protestant currents emerged in France after World War II, often associated with charismatic or Pentecostal movements. These built upon older, smaller movements that were indigenous or established by European, particularly British, Evangelicals.
Evangelical ideas first spread in France from 1520 onwards, influenced by the Reformation in Germany and Swiss towns, leading to a break with the Roman Catholic Church. These ideas gained traction among educated circles and even reached the court of François Ier. Marguerite d'Angoulême, the king's sister, supported the bishop of Meaux, Guillaume Briçonnet, in his diocese reform project. This included the translation of the New Testament into French, which drew criticism from the Sorbonne, the theology university in Paris. Despite opposition, the popularity of evangelical ideas continued to grow, and they were increasingly associated with Lutheranism.
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The Catholic Church in France has been affected by the sexual abuse crisis
France, known as the 'Eldest Daughter of the Church', has seen a downward spiral in the popularity of Catholicism since the 1960s. From 1872 to 1960, the Catholic population of France remained steady at around 97%. However, in recent times, this number has dropped to 25%, with a further decline expected in the future. The rise of non-religious individuals, often referred to as "nones", has contributed to this shift, as they now constitute the majority of the French population at 53%. The decline in Catholicism is also accompanied by an increase in other religious groups, such as Muslims and evangelical Protestants, who have higher reproduction rates.
The Catholic Church in France has been significantly impacted by the sexual abuse crisis. An independent inquiry, commissioned by the French Catholic Church in 2018, revealed that approximately 216,000 children, mostly boys aged 10 to 13, have been sexually abused by clergy within the French Catholic Church since 1950. The head of the inquiry, Jean-Marc Sauve, accused the Church of demonstrating a "deep, total, and even cruel indifference" towards the victims, prioritizing its own protection over that of the victims. The inquiry identified at least 2,900 to 3,200 abusers among the 115,000 priests and other clerics, indicating a systemic issue within the Church.
The impact of the sexual abuse crisis within the Church has contributed to the dwindling number of Catholics in France, although it is not considered the initiating factor. The crisis has led to a loss of trust in the Church and its teachings, with calls for reforms to rebuild its relationship with society. The Catholic Church has been criticized for its initial response to the crisis, with allegations of covering up abuses and failing to take necessary preventive measures.
In the face of the sexual abuse crisis, the Catholic Church in France has taken steps toward accountability and reconciliation. Pope Francis expressed deep sadness for the victims, and the Church has announced plans for financial contributions to victims. Additionally, the Church has made recommendations for preventing future abuse, including training priests and fostering policies to better recognize victims. While most cases assessed in the inquiry are likely beyond the statute of limitations for prosecution, the Church is working to restore confidence and trust in its institutions.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2020, 25% of French people aged 18-59 identify as Catholic. This equates to around 16 million people.
Yes, the number of Catholics in France has been declining since the 1960s. In 2008, 43% of the population identified as Catholic.
There are several reasons for the decline in Catholicism in France. Firstly, the rise of the non-religious, often referred to as "nones", who now make up 53% of the population. Secondly, the sexual abuse crisis within the Church has been a factor. Additionally, the generational reproduction rate for Catholics (67%) is lower than that of Muslims (91%) and Jews (84%).
Yes, Catholicism is still the largest religion in France, but it may soon become a minority religion. Islam and evangelical Protestantism are growing in France and could reach hegemonic positions in the coming decades.
