{"id":1806,"date":"2018-04-16T13:18:07","date_gmt":"2018-04-16T12:18:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/religion-law-and-the-constitution\/?p=1806"},"modified":"2025-11-26T11:31:11","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T11:31:11","slug":"president-macron-religion-and-secularism-in-france","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/religion-law-and-the-constitution\/2018\/04\/16\/president-macron-religion-and-secularism-in-france\/","title":{"rendered":"President Macron: Religion and Secularism in France"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"Eiffel<\/p>\n

The comments which the French Head of State made recently before a gathering of the national Roman Catholic hierarchy have caused something of a stir, both in France and further afield.\u00a0 President Macron stated his view that relations between the Church and State have been damaged in his nation, and that society had a duty to repair them for the common good.\u00a0 Responses from commentators have ranged from the warmly enthusiastic to the openly hostile: religious leaders have seen it as a gesture of affirmation and welcome, whilst other voices have perceived the speech as a threat to France\u2019s culture of secularism or la\u00efcit\u00e9.<\/p>\n

It is unquestionable that preserving religious neutrality in public life is a principle close to the heart of French national identity, wrapped up with a unique understanding of the cherished ideals of Libert\u00e9, \u00c9galit\u00e9, Fraternit\u00e9.\u00a0 In the immediate aftermath of the Charlie Hebdo murders, the strength of this tradition emerged in the Je Suis Charlie movement, and although the slogan later became controversial, the initial passionate and peaceful defence of freedom of expression was moving.\u00a0 It must also be acknowledged that many of the blazing intellectual stars which lit the Enlightenment movement were French.\u00a0 What would Voltaire\u2019s response have been, could he have known that in the twenty-first century people would still be dying in his homeland for expressing opinions which some people found religiously offensive?\u00a0 This is not to suggest that writing insulting or blasphemous statements about faith is clever or laudable, but that the only <\/em>acceptable response to offensive expressions is to oppose and challenge them verbally.\u00a0 Physical attack and murder in response to words and images is vile, having no place in any civilised society, and in the days following the Paris attacks, France powerfully, and commendably, conveyed this message to the world.<\/p>\n

However, there have also been instances in which France\u2019s secularist ethos has had less positive out-workings, at least in the eyes of many observers.\u00a0 Banning some forms of religious clothing in public spaces, particularly in the infamous burqa prohibition, seems hard to square with a passionate defence of freedom of expression. \u00a0It is also the case that voices from faith communities, including the Roman Catholic Church, have felt at times that their perspective and contribution have been unwelcome in social debate, purely because they come in a religious package.<\/p>\n

It appears from his words that Macron desired to address this.\u00a0 He recognized the important part which Roman Catholicism has played in the cultural evolution of France, and the key role which it still has in collective life, particularly in relation to helping those in practical need.\u00a0 Furthermore, he outlined a vision of secularism which was not opposed to religion, and maintained that embracing la\u00efcit\u00e9 did not mean denying faith.\u00a0 As Head of State, President Macron saw himself as the guarantor of the freedom to believe or not to believe, and in his view failing to engage with Catholics equated to failing to engage fully with French society.<\/p>\n

Every national context is different, and every society evolves to adapt to new circumstances and changes.\u00a0 \u00a0Undeniably religious people, including Roman Catholics, are a key part of French society.\u00a0 It is also true that faith groups have opinions and needs which they are entitled to voice, and projects which they may wish to engage in, some of which have positive benefits for wider society.\u00a0 Obviously, what is accepted and what is rejected is a matter for democratic decision-making, but religious denominations are as entitled as any others to participate.\u00a0 Recognising this does not mean rejecting la\u00efcit\u00e9, but adopting an understanding of the same which perceives the reality on the ground and the rich opportunities which mutual respect and collaboration can bring.<\/p>\n

Related articles<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pour Emmanuel Macron, le lien entre l’Eglise et l’Etat s’est ab\u00eem\u00e9<\/a> Le Monde <\/em>(10\/4\/18)<\/p>\n

Macron outlines positive view of Church\/State Links<\/a> The Tablet <\/em>(10\/4\/18)<\/p>\n

French Burqa and Niqab Ban<\/a> The Guardian <\/em>(March 18)<\/p>\n

From Je Suis Charlie to attacks on Free Speech<\/a> New York Times <\/em>(29\/2\/16)<\/p>\n

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