Joshua Bennett
France has long been considered the Eldest Daughter of the Church, with Catholicism dominating French society for centuries. However, in recent times, the country has become increasingly secular, with a growing number of people unaffiliated with any organised religion. While Christianity remains the most followed religion in France, with around two-thirds of the population identifying as Christian, only a minority regularly participate in religious worship. The relationship between the Catholic Church and the French state has evolved significantly over the past century, with a 1905 law formally separating church and state and establishing the principle of laïcité, or freedom of conscience. Today, France is characterised by religious diversity, with significant minorities professing Islam, Judaism, and other faiths, while a substantial portion of the population identifies as non-religious.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Largest religious group | Christianity |
| Percentage of population that is not religious | 40% |
| Percentage of population that is atheist | 30% |
| Official religion | None |
| Separation of Church and State | Yes |
| Year of separation of Church and State | 1905 |
| Percentage of Christians that are Catholic | 83% |
| Percentage of population that are practising Catholics | 15% |
| Percentage of population that attend mass each week | 4.5% |
| Percentage of population that practice daily | 1.8% |
| Number of Catholic churches in France | 42,000+ |
| Number of Catholic cathedrals in France | 149 |
| Number of Catholic churches demolished since 2000 | 72 |
| Number of Catholic churches deconsecrated since 1905 | 326 |
| Number of Catholic pilgrims visiting Lourdes yearly | 5 million |
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What You'll Learn
France's Catholic History
France has a long and tumultuous history with Catholicism, with the religion playing a significant role in shaping the country's cultural, social, and political landscape.
The Early History of Catholicism in France
The first written records of Christians in France date back to the second century when Irenaeus documented the deaths of Bishop Saint Pothinus of Lugdunum (Lyon) and other martyrs of the 177 AD persecution in Lyon. However, it was the conversion of King Clovis I from paganism to Catholicism in 496 that truly established Catholicism in the country. Clovis I, considered the founder of France, allied himself with the papacy and protected his predominantly Catholic subjects. This marked the beginning of the French monarchy's long tradition of legitimising its power through Christianity.
The French Revolution and the Decline of the Church's Influence
The French Revolution (1789-1799) marked a significant turning point in the history of the Catholic Church in France. The Church faced heavy persecution, with many churches and works of art destroyed. The revolution disassociated the state from religion, and in 1905, the government officially separated church and state. This period also saw a shift in public sentiment, with the Enlightenment's rationalist philosophy influencing a growing segment of the population.
The 20th Century and the Rise of Secularism
In the 20th century, France became known for its staunchly secular Republicanism, with Laïcité, or absolute neutrality of the state regarding religious doctrine, becoming the official policy of the French Republic. While Christianity, and Catholicism in particular, remained the dominant religion, a significant portion of the population was not actively religious, with church attendance ranking among the lowest in the world.
Modern-Day France: A Complex Religious Landscape
Today, France's religious landscape is more diverse than ever. While Christianity remains the most followed religion, there are significant minorities of Muslims and followers of other faiths. Additionally, a growing percentage of the population, especially among the youth, identify as unaffiliated with any organised religion. This shift reflects the complex evolution of modern French society, where the traditional dominance of Catholicism coexists with a strong secular culture.
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Secularism and Laïcité
France has long been considered "the Eldest Daughter of the [Catholic] Church" and is well-known for its staunchly secular Republicanism. The country has a tumultuous history of religious conflict, with the Catholic Church historically acting as the dominant religious force. However, in recent times, the country has witnessed a shift towards secularism, with a growing percentage of people unaffiliated with any organized religion, particularly in the youngest demographics.
The French Revolution (1789-1799) marked a significant turning point in the relationship between church and state in France. The revolution disempowered the Catholic Church, with many churches and works of art destroyed. The 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which emerged from the revolution, guaranteed freedom of religion and freedom of thought. This laid the foundation for the eventual separation of church and state in 1905.
The 1905 French law on the separation of Church and State officially removed the privileged status of the Catholic Church as the state religion. This law established the principle of laïcité, which translates to "freedom of conscience." Laïcité upholds state neutrality towards religious doctrine and advocates for the separation of the religious and public spheres. This principle is designed to protect religious minorities and uphold freedom of thought, including the right to agnosticism and atheism.
While the majority of the French population still identifies as Christian, with Roman Catholicism being the largest denomination, a significant portion is not actively religious. Church attendance in France is among the lowest in the world, and only a minority regularly participate in religious worship. The practice of Catholicism is more prevalent among the middle classes and in certain regions, such as the northwest, east, north, and Basque Country.
The French government's dedication to laïcité is evident in various measures, such as the prohibition of wearing ostensible religious symbols in public schools since 2004. Additionally, there is no dedicated curriculum for learning about religion in French public schools. These measures reflect France's commitment to secularism and the protection of religious minorities. However, it is important to note that the government does not collect data on religious preferences, so all estimates regarding religious affiliation should be considered with caution.
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Catholicism and Politics
France has long been associated with Catholicism. In the fifth century AD, the country's founder, Clovis I, converted from paganism to Catholicism. This began a long tradition in which the French monarchy legitimised its power through Christianity. The French Revolution (1789–1799) triggered a shift, with the Catholic Church persecuted and many churches and works of art destroyed.
Since the French Revolution, the country has become staunchly secular, with the government passing a law in 1905 to separate church and state. Laïcité, or freedom of conscience, is enforced by the 1880s Jules Ferry laws and the 1905 law, establishing state secularism. Despite this, Catholicism remains the dominant religion in France, with around two-thirds of French people identifying as Christian, and about 83% of that number identifying as Roman Catholic. However, a large portion of the population is not actively religious, with church attendance ranking among the lowest in the world. Only about 15% of French citizens identify as "practicing" Catholics, with only 4.5% attending mass each week.
The Catholic Church in France has experienced several changes over the past few decades, shifting towards becoming a minority religion. Despite its historical normative status, the Church now coexists with other religions, reflecting the evolution of modern French society. While the country is officially secular, Catholicism continues to shape public life in France, from national holidays and symbols to the closure of schools on Wednesdays to accommodate Catholic catechism classes.
The relationship between Catholicism and politics in France is complex. On the one hand, the Catholic Church has historically been a powerful force, closely tied to the monarchy and the state. On the other hand, the French Revolution and subsequent laws separating church and state have reduced the Church's influence in politics. Despite this, Catholicism still holds significant influence in French society and culture, as evidenced by the collective mourning of the Notre-Dame fire.
The presence of a significant Muslim minority in France has also influenced the political landscape. While France is officially secular, there is a perception among some that Muslims fail to appreciate and assimilate into France's secular culture. This has led to debates about the role of Islam in French society and concerns about the protection of secular French values.
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Religious Freedom
France has long been considered a Catholic country, with the Catholic Church historically being the dominant religious force. However, in recent times, France has become a secular state with a diverse range of religious groups. The country now guarantees freedom of religion and freedom of thought, with the 1905 French law officially separating Church and State.
The legacy of the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, along with the principle of laïcité or "freedom of conscience", ensures that individuals in France are free to practice their religion of choice. This includes the right to be agnostic or atheist, with a significant portion of the French population identifying as non-religious.
While Christianity remains the most followed religion in France, with around two-thirds of the population identifying as Christian, only a minority regularly participate in religious worship. Of those who identify as Christian, approximately 83% are Roman Catholic, while 14% are Protestant. However, only about 15% of French citizens identify as "practicing" Catholics, with low church attendance rates.
The French government does not legally define what constitutes a religion and refuses to delimit the boundaries of religions. This has resulted in a complex religious landscape, with a variety of religious groups co-existing in the country. The government also provides tax exemptions for religious groups, including those with non-worship activities, further promoting freedom of religion.
In summary, while France has a strong historical connection to Catholicism, it is now a secular state that guarantees freedom of religion and thought. The country has a diverse range of religious groups, with a significant portion of the population identifying as non-religious. The French government's role in appointing bishops and its ownership of many Catholic churches, however, continue to link the state to the Catholic Church.
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Catholicism Today
Catholicism is no longer the state religion in France, as it was before the 1789 Revolution and throughout the various non-republican regimes of the 19th century. The 1905 French law on the separation of Church and State removed the privileged status of Catholicism as the state religion. Despite this, the French head of state still nominates Catholic bishops.
France is a secular country with freedom of religion and conscience guaranteed by the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. The prevailing public doctrine on religion is laïcité, or state neutrality with respect to religious doctrine, and the separation of the religious and public spheres. This has been enforced by the 1880s Jules Ferry laws and the 1905 law.
While France is one of the most atheist countries in the world, with around 30% of the population declaring themselves atheists, Christianity remains the most followed religion. Around two-thirds of French people identify as Christian, with about 50% of that number identifying as Roman Catholic. However, only around 15% of French citizens are "practicing" Catholics, with only 4.5% attending mass each week and 1.8% practising daily. Church attendance in France is among the lowest in the world.
In recent decades, France has emerged as a stronghold for the small but growing Traditionalist Catholic movement. The Society of Saint Pius X, a canonically irregular priestly society founded by French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, has a large presence in the country.
The French government owns approximately 95% of France's more than 42,000 Catholic churches. The condition of these buildings varies significantly, with 72 churches demolished since 2000 and 326 deconsecrated since 1905.
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Frequently asked questions
France is no longer an officially Catholic country. In 1905, a law was passed to separate church and state, removing the privileged status of the Catholic Church as the state religion.
The religious makeup of France is diverse. While Christianity is the most followed religion, with around 50% of the population identifying as Roman Catholic, a large portion of the population is not actively religious. There are also significant minorities of Muslims, Protestants, Jews, Buddhists, and other denominations.
The French state upholds the principle of laïcité, or freedom of conscience, which guarantees freedom of religion and freedom of thought. While the state remains neutral with respect to religious doctrine, it still plays a role in the appointment of Catholic bishops, particularly in the case of Strasbourg and Metz.
