Catholicism in France
With the Pope’s recent visit to France (see this article from France24), it seems appropriate to look at Catholicism in modern France. There is often talk of Islam in France and how the influx of Muslim people are affecting the national identity, but can we honestly say that the national identity was primarily Catholic before the influx? L’INSEE does not have any hard data on each religion in particular, but there are some studies on religious practice (see here) that show that faith in France is falling. In 2005, approximately 45% of people 15-24 did not practice nor have belief in any faith whereas for those over 60, the percentage is much lower (around 15%). Some of this can be attributed to getting older and feeling a higher need for practice and belief in faith, but not all of it. We are seeing a generation that is rejecting faith. I think many of us have the thought that France is a predominantly Catholic country (probably because of the history of the church there, not because we hear a lot about religion in France), but that does not hold true in data or in experience. When I was in France, I went to cathedrals for “Messe” and saw mostly empty pews. There are also stories of the need for priests to lead churches (see this English article from the BBC) Though there is still a demand for priests and adherents in the seats, Pope Benedict XVI made it clear that the standards will not be lowered. One article discussed the recent actions of some priests to make divorced people whole again in the eyes of the church allowing them to become full members and the Pope avowed that this was not acceptable behavior. The church may be suffering in numbers, but the rules will still be enforced. For many years now, the government has been pushing the country to become less involved in religious affairs and has been pushing things that Catholicism does not agree with: abortion, rights for gay and lesbian partners and parents, no religion in schools, etc. In fact, on his visit, the Pope and Nicolas Sarkozy talked about “laïcité de la France” but Sarkozy seems to be backtracking a bit. He is encouraging “laïcité positive” in placing religion in the public sphere again and having conversations about religion. The Pope had very large audiences in Paris and in Lourdes; Catholicism in France might be experiencing a slight resurgence, but it’s not appropriate to say it has been the practiced religion of the people for quite some time. Catholicism does still impact the society with children celebrating not only their birthdays, but also their “saint day” (each day has at least one saint to honor and because most are named after these saints, each person has a “saint day” See this calendar. Does your name have religious origins? Can you find which day is your “saint day”? Alexandra would be Alexandrine with the date of April 2nd). Major holidays are still celebrated by even the not practicing, non-faithful (Noël, Pâques, Carnaval, etc.)
(Easter is more about the talents of the chocolate sculptors than anything else. Photo by Celesteh-flikr)
Overall, there are still some remnants of the time when Catholicism was a major force in the daily and political life, but France has gone secular. Many French students visiting the US talk about how surprised they are to hear each politician say “God Bless America” as that would never happen in France. Religion had been pushed to the private sector until the rise of Islam was noticed and public conversations about religion arose again.
The largest problem in France is probably the conflict between religious values and social values. Indeed, the most important part of French people agree with values that promote individual freedom (such as abortion, LGBT rights, and probably in the next few years euthanasia). There is a huge gap between citizens values (In particular new generations) and the values of church which hadn’t changed for 100 years.Customs changed and new laws are published every months. Like a company, the church have to fit “customer” needs or lose adepts (or market shares).
The phenomenon is different in the US because church is more powerful and has a political influence. Moreover, the gap between American values and protestant church values isn’t as large as the French one.
I think that the biggest problem that faces religion in France in adjusting catholicism to our modern world. As times have changed since Catholicism began, more social changes have occured (more GLBT and abortion issues, etc.). Due to the culture change, I think that is why so many young people are choosing not to practice their faith, especially Catholicism because of their unapproval of accepting these changes into their authentic world. These changes are something our sulture in particular are familiar with, therefore it explains why those over the age of 60 have more beliefs in their faith.
While in France religion still plays an important role in french culture, it seems that change in still unacceptable in the eyes of the church.
In the United States I think we are facing similar issues when it comes to social changes. Catholicism I think plays a much bigger role in our country because we as Americans are exposed to more ideas due to our democratic government than those in France. However, there are some that still feel that the church should rule over everything. I think what the church and every country affiliated with it should realize that as our culture changes, our need to adapt is going to increase. If Catholicism still wants to play a major role in leading nations, the church must be accepting to everyone.
One of the statements that really surprised me was in the BBC article discussing Father Andre Bouzou having to look after 40 churches. This reveals the extreme drop in church participation as his responsibilities as a priest would not even be possible if it weren’t for the extremely small congregations.
The generation gap seems to be caused by the differences of the traditional values that the elderly grew up with compared to the modern values that the younger generations are continuously forming. The cause of this current generation rejecting faith is due to the people not being able to relate to the traditional standards that the Pope supports and forces into practice. The Pope refuses to lower the standards of the church while ignoring and rejecting the changes and growth that the society of France is experiencing (changes involving gay rights, abortion, etc). When the church is not being as progressive or adaptive as the society is, then people of that society will continue to not be active in institutions that do not share their similar values or ideals.
One statement I found particularly interesting was in the BBC article. One of the priests interviewed thought church membership was declining due in large part to materialism. He said people are so well-off these days and have so much stuff surrounding them; their wealth is their refuge. I think this is likely one cause of a decreasing faith. It would also explain the gap between the young and the elderly. Previous French generations had to endure wars on their own soil and the accompanying destruction, economic depression, and hardship. They knew how to do without, and turned to religion for comfort and protection. The majority of young people today have not experienced such difficult times. They live in a technologically advanced world, and are used to having new gadgets and media all the time to inform them and help solve their problems. Prayer seems rather risky if you can just find your answer on the internet.
I think other current social issues are contributing to young people’s lack of faith as well. With issues like LGBT rights and abortion now at the forefront of society, the church’s prohibition of these appears to be denying certain people’s freedom. Young people value freedom and independence very much, so when an institution attempts to restrict certain groups’ rights without reason, it is not surprising to see young people rebelling against the church’s actions. This also creates an age gap. Previous generations were raised during at time when the church was a powerful member of society, and to cross the church would be unthinkable.
The last paragraph of this blog contrasts the United States and France saying, “Many French students visiting the US talk about how surprised they are to hear each politician say “God Bless America” as that would never happen in France.” While it’s true that politicians often call upon religion for verification of their character, religions-like Catholicism-which are stubbornly holding on to “traditional values” are finding it more and more difficult to recruit young members. I don’t think our generation is any more morally corrupt than the generations that came before us, many of us are merely disgusted with the lack of options available. I believe in God but I’m not going to support a church that preaches values that I believe to be close-minded and archaic. It seems a large percentage of France’s younger generation has the same attitude. There was a caption by the picture of the chocolate bunnies which said: “Easter is more about the talents of the chocolate sculptors than anything else.” Just as in the US, religious holidays in France have been commercialized for the consumer. It’s hard to take religion seriously. Clearly, this change is a step away from tradition. Why not reconsider the “traditional” social values and modernize the Catholic doctrine a bit?
This pattern of decreasing popularity not only of the catholic church but of any kind of faith is nothing new to our contemporary era. France is not alienated to this phenomenon, it is rather something happening world wide. Only 6% of the Spanish population claim to practice any religion for example. This is due to the strict principles and never-changing doctrines that form the bases of many faiths. As globalization becomes an every day thing, and new liberal driven ideas are introduced into what used to be traditional societies, people are daring to challenge the ideals of religion.
The pope before Benedict XVI, John Paul II did great efforts to modernize the Catholic church. He encouraged dimplomacy among religious and political leaders. He addressed numerous times the youth of the world and was known as the “traveler pope”. It seems that such improvements are diminished by the more conservatory views of BenedictXV1.
I think the decrease of religion-particularly Catholicism-in France goes hand in hand with the growing scientific knowledge of the modern era. Today, theories like evolution and the “Big Boom” theory go against Christian beliefs of creation. Also, as you pointed out, the French government is moving towards more liberal ideas such as pro-choice and the rights of gay couples. This goes against many teachings in the church, so it is understandable how many French people have conflicting thoughts of morality between religious views and modern social views.
Surprisingly enough, I have held a conversation about religion with my French speaker, Adrien. He commented on the very thing you mentioned in your last paragraph-that he was surprised to hear the word “God” so many times in American government. However, he held one misconception that I had never heard before. Before he left for America, he was told by his friends not to mention religion, because Americans are very strict about it. We told them this belief was false, that we talk about religion all the time, but now I can understand where he was coming from. Maybe many French people are agnostic (like Adrien) so they thought they would offend Americans by discussion religion, because Americans are more likely to align themselves with a particular religion?
I feel as though I don’t have much authority to comment on Catholicism in France because 1) I’m not Catholic and 2) My faith is not private. I’ve had some fascinating conversations, however, with my language partner and classmate, both of whom come from countries where religion is private. It was very interesting to me to see both talk hesitantly about religion, and to hear their observations about Christianity here in the US. They both found it funny that University Avenue has such a large number of churches, and that the churches are so modern looking.
My saint day is october 4. I know this because my grandmother always calls me when this date is coming up. It is true that in France religion is really private and you usually don’t talk about it in public. The persons you talk to about religion are usually your family and closest friends. What is I think a good thing, because everybody has his right to belief what he wants to and I think nobody should try to convince another to belief what he wants.
If you would asked most of the french people in which religion they belief in, they would answer Catholicism, but they never go to church nether do they pray, nether do they have read the bible.
I agree with the statement about Easter being more about the chocolate sculpter’s talents than religion. I was in France over Easter 2 years ago, and although my host family and I were both Catholic, they didn’t attend church. I am used to Easter being a religious holiday at home, and when I asked my host family if they were going to attend church, they said no, they didn’t go to church. My family also hosted a French girl who was also Catholic. I invited her to church with me when she was here, and she also replied that she doesn’t attend church.
I feel, though, that Catholocism and religion in general have decreasing interest in many parts of the world. I think it’s a trend of our generation. Religion isn’t stressed at all because of schools not being able to talk about it in school, and young people just aren’t really interested.
The historical roots of Catholicism are still deeply entrenched in French culture. The campus that I was on was a private journalism school and it had a small Catholic Chapel located on it. Schools get an enormous spring break that is centered around Easter and my school gave us 3 days off, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Monday, in addition to a spring break 3 weeks later. Still this doesn’t seem to have a religious significance now. Very few people came to the Easter mass that was help at the chapel. I don’t know if Catholicism is experiencing a resurgence but they are definitely becoming more vocal. With the tightening of laws that restrict religion there are groups attempting to make their voice heard when they can.
My name, Ian, is the Scottish version of the name John. A very popular name in biblical times specifically John the Baptist. There are 4 holidays that are associated with the name John, February 3rd and 24th, June 24th, and the 27th of December.