Is France Really Secular? Thoughts on Macron Attending Mass

Notre Dame de la Garde, Marseille

Americans will show surprise, and maybe distain before the French policy known as laïcité, literally “lay-ness”. It is not quite the same as secularization, which is “the process whereby religious thinking, practices and institutions lose social significance.”[1] As in America it is any official or government-sponsored establishment of religion that is prohibited (the First Amendment to the Constitution). Unlike the U.S., the lay-ness doctrine has been interpreted to proscribe extensively any appearance of an official endorsement of a particular religion. In 1962 the U. S. Supreme Court issued a decision which forbade state officials to compose an official school prayer or encourage reciting one in that place of learning. “Composing” and “reciting” are not quite as stringent as in France, which prohibits almost any sign of religion, including Muslim veils and even Roman Catholic earrings, in schools or in any public venue.

President Macron’s decision to attend a mass in Marseille has been met with considerable hostility from those who are most sensitive to lay-ness. But things are not crystal-clear. Macron is trying to raise money to restore church buildings (we all remember the dreadful fire in Notre Dame de Paris). His argument is not that he is establishing a particular religion but that he is respecting France’s “religious heritage”, which includes historic buildings. The state regularly subventions religious entities such as singing groups, pipe organs and Christian conscientious objectors.

We do not know exactly what are Macron’s personal convictions. We do know that he is heavily influenced by France’s leading Protestant philosopher, Paul Ricœur. Macron has taken pains to say he will not be at the mass as a Catholic nor will he be “practicing” religion. Most Americans do not balk at a chaplain to the Congress, a President who regularly attends mass, a Senator who is a practicing Mormon, the occasional Scripture quote on the courtroom wall, or a speech which ends “… may God bless America”. They do not consider this to be a state-establishment of religion.

There are important historical reasons for the development of laïcité. The Huguenots often argued for it, based on their view of Romans 13 which states that government exists to establish justice, not to endorse a particular religion (be it the author Paul’s Jewish heritage or his Christian faith). It should be said that one of their principal intentions was to keep Roman Catholicism at bay. Unfortunately, they went too far, especially by proclaiming government to be neutral. As one (Protestant) sociologist has argued, the claim to neutrality is not neutral! Laïcité is in fact a kind of religion.

It would appear that Macron’s decision fits within a reasonable view of lay-ness. But it would also appear that the pretense of neutrality must be exposed for what it is. Our seminary in Aix-en-Provence will help future ministers navigate these troubled waters. They will do so by careful biblical interpretation and by seeking the promised divine wisdom (James 1:5).

William Edgar
Professeur Associé Faculté Jean Calvin


[1] B. R. Wilson, Religion in Secular Society (1966).

It Seemed Unthinkable

Charles Berger

In a few months, I will have been engaged in pastoral ministry for five years.

Faculté Jean Calvin (FJC) crossed my path 9 years ago, when I was a Political Sciences student in Aix-en-Provence, newly baptized – although born to two Christian parents. My wife and I were gradually returning to the Lord after several years of wandering and doubts.

While I was finishing my studies, we considered moving to Geneva to pursue careers, she as a financial auditor and me as a teacher-researcher. But taking advantage of a slow year during which my wife had to complete her contract, I enrolled at FJC with the aim of deepening my understanding of God and faith. It was there, in the first year of theology, that I received what I believe was a call to a pastoral vocation. This was a shock: it seemed unthinkable to me to dedicate my life to anything else. At the same time, various circumstances destroyed our plans to move to Switzerland. There remained the question of financing, but each year the Lord provided everything that was necessary. “What shall I render to the Lord for all these benefits to me?” (Ps 116:12)

Five years of study at FJC were blessings upon blessings. Among these I can cite the meetings with students from different backgrounds, all rich in experiences with the Lord; the immersion courses with experienced pastors; but also the exemplary faith of the FJC teachers, their availability, their accessibility and the sincere concern they showed in the educational and spiritual support of students. I can also cite the teaching which is alive, solid, rich and profound, truly reformed, faithful to the faith transmitted once and for all to the saints (Jude 1:3). Every time I think about it, I realize the extent to which certain courses, particularly those in New Testament, Systematic Theology, pastoral support and helping relationships, have built my personal faith and my understanding of ministry.

After serving two years as interim pastor in my local church in Aix-en-Provence, I was accepted by the commission of ministries of the Evangelical Reformed Churches of France (Unepref). My first assignment was in a rural environment, in the Cévennes mountains, to be pastor of two parishes – that of Saint Jean de Maruejols and that of Les Vans – 45 minutes apart, straddling the Ardèche and Gard. This is where I continue to serve the Lord. The beginning was far from easy, but I was able to follow the advice given to me by Gilles Boucomont, the pastor with whom I had completed my internship: “For a year, don’t touch anything, don’t change anything. Don't even move a flower pot. Observe everything, preach the heart of the message and rely on the Lord.” Three years later, the collaboration with these two communities is harmonious. Both communities are in strong renewal, recording conversions and returns to the faith, despite a difficult social and demographic context.

In France, spiritual poverty, particularly in rural areas, is immense. But I remain convinced of the Lord’s love for this country and its inhabitants. In five years of service, I can testify to the goodness of our Lord, who is faithful to his Church, which he patiently preserves and establishes among all the families of the earth, as he has promised.

Charles Berger

Religious Diversity

In 2019‐2020, 51% of the population aged 18 to 59 in metropolitan France said they had no religion. This religious disaffiliation has been increasing over the past ten years and concerns 58% of people with no migration background, 19% of immigrants who arrived after the age of 16 and 26% of the descendants of two immigrant parents.

While Catholicism remains the dominant religion (29% of the population declare themselves to be Catholic), Islam confirms its place as the second religion in France (10%). The number of people claiming another Christian religion is also increasing, reaching 9%. The frequency and intensity of religious practice varies by religious affiliation: only 8% of Catholics regularly attend a place of worship, compared to just over 20% of other Christians, Muslims and Buddhists, and 34% of Jews.

Processes of religious transmission between generations shape the religious landscape over the long term: 91% of people raised in a Muslim family follow the religion of their parents. This transmission is also very strong among Jews (84%), but less so among Catholics (67%) and other Christians (69%). All else being equal, growing up in a family of mixed religious or Catholic ancestry is a key factor in the secularization process among the descendants of immigrants.

Click here for full article and credits.

Matt Moury

My name is Matt Moury, I am 32 years old and currently a pastor of the Evangelical Baptist Church of Argenteuil (Paris region), a missionary of Christ Church Cambridge (England) and a 2nd year master's student at Faculté Jean Calvin. I also develop resources such as Théologie Pour Tous and Un Café with Henri Blocher.

By the grace of God, I came to the Gospel at the age of 20 through GBUs (University Bible Groups) when I had no Protestant background.

After earning a Masters in Publishing Translation, I served as a missionary in Cambridge with Friends International. It was about sharing the Gospel with foreign students.

Subsequently, I did a long-term pastoral internship at the Evangelical Baptist Church of Lyon while pursuing studies at the Free Faculty of Evangelical Theology.

For a long time, I was attracted by FJC because I like theology and the reformed liturgy, I even took a large number of courses as a free auditor. When my Church union agreed to finance my master 2, I therefore asked to do it in this institution and I was not disappointed!

If God lends me life and health, I would like to continue on the pastoral path while teaching in various contexts.

William Edgar Chair Benefit Concert

March 2023

Save the date!

A magical evening not to be missed...

On Thursday June 1, at 7:00 pm, on the campus of Westminster Theological Seminary in Glenside, PA, the Huguenot Fellowship will hold a concert to benefit the William Edgar Chair of Apologetics at Faculté Jean Calvin (FJC) in Aix-en-Provence.

It was two-and-a-half years ago that the board of FJC fittingly named its professorship in Apologetics after our beloved Bill, and the response ever since has been thrilling. Contributions have flowed in from around the world to fund this chair, and we're eager to build on that very good beginning.

Thus, a benefit concert!

And it's quite a concert we've got planned.

Stunning jazz? Check. The incomparable Ruth Naomi Floyd will perform.

Pulsating hip-hop? Check. The lyrical Timothy Brindle will perform.

And those two headliners will be accompanied on the bill by other Friends of Bill who will pitch in their talents.

Also, in the lobby of the auditorium, to enjoy both before and after the show, you'll find a silent auction and Provence-themed delights that will make you think you've left Glenside for Aix without the jet lag!

That's June 1, friends. What better way to usher in the summer months? To borrow from Carousel, no doubt June will be bustin' out all over. (And no, that doesn't mean this song will be performed.)

You'll find enclosed with this letter an invitation card with all the details, including a web address to point you in the right direction. It wouldn't be a bad idea to get your tickets soon, since we're expecting a sellout.

And of course, if you're not able to join us that night (we'll miss you!) let me encourage you to consider a contribution to the Edgar Chair Fund to honor the occasion in absentia. Any part you can play in furthering this amazing endeavor will be much appreciated and will plant seeds that bear eternal fruit.

June 1 promises to be one very special evening for one very good cause.
Join us?
Please do!

Yours,

Paul D. Wolfe, President
The Huguenot Fellowship

To purchase tickets online, click here: edgarchairconcert.eventbrite.com

Richard Conrad

My name is Richard Conrad. I am American and a 2nd year bachelor student at Faculté Jean Calvin. I am married and have five children. I came to Faculté Jean Calvin to work in the field of apologetics in France.

Before I was a theology student, I was a submarine officer in the United States Navy. Then I went with my family to Cameroon to be a computer programmer with Wycliffe Bible Translators.

Between these two periods, we spent a year in the Paris region to learn French. It was then that I discovered that there is a strong need for apologists in the French language.

It is therefore to make my small contribution in this area that I am training at Faculté Jean Calvin. I am supported by an American organization Ratio Christi, whose goal is to promote Christian apologetics on university campuses.

After obtaining my Bachelor in Theology, we plan is to stay in Aix-en-Provence to work with students at Aix-Marseille University.