Catholic Church in France

The Latest

Archbishop Éric de Moulins-Beaufort. Credit: Diocèse de Reims.

Catholic archbishop: ‘The Church in France is jostled from many sides’

Dec 19, 2020

By Luke Coppen

The Church in France is under pressure, according to the president of the French Catholic bishops’ conference. Read more

Lourdes struggled financially after all pilgrimages were canceled during France’s first lockdown.

Pandemic causes up to 40% drop in income of French parishes

Dec 10, 2020

By Courtney Mares

The Catholic Church in France estimates that it lost more than $100 million due to the country’s two coronavirus lockdowns... Read more

Sainte-Chapelle, the 13th-century chapel built by French King Louis IX to house Christ's crown of thorns.

Catholic bishops welcome ‘realistic’ new measures for public Masses in France

Dec 3, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Bishops in France have welcomed new government measures that will allow more people to attend public Masses during Advent.   Read more

French President Emmanuel Macron.

French president presses Muslim leaders to embrace 'republican values'

Dec 2, 2020

In the wake of several suspected Islamist attacks in France this year, French President Emmanuel Macron has asked the country’s... Read more

The Palais-Royal in Paris, home of the Council of State.

French Catholic bishops win appeal against 30-person Mass limit

Nov 30, 2020

By Courtney Mares

The French Council of State has ruled that a proposed 30-person limit on Masses and other forms of public worship is... Read more

Archbishop Michel Aupetit, pictured in 2015 at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

French bishops launch second legal appeal to reinstate public Masses for all

Nov 27, 2020

By Courtney Mares

The French bishops’ conference announced Friday that it would submit another appeal to the Council of State, calling the proposed... Read more

A medical mask on a gargoyle of Notre-Dame in Paris.

French bishops press government to review 30-person Mass limit

Nov 25, 2020

By Courtney Mares

After a strong reaction by French Catholics to the government’s decision Tuesday night to limit Mass attendance to 30 people... Read more

French bishops’ conference president Archbishop Éric de Moulins-Beaufort, pictured in May 2015.

French bishops say public Mass ban violates freedom of worship

Nov 3, 2020

By Courtney Mares

As France begins its second lockdown this year, French bishops are filing an urgent appeal to continue public Masses, saying... Read more

The interior of the church of Fontgombault Abbey.

Abbot who helped revive traditional monasticism laid to rest in France

Aug 19, 2020

By Courtney Mares

A Benedictine abbot who helped to revive traditional monasticism and Gregorian chant in France was buried Wednesday in the 11th-century... Read more

The  Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul cathedral in Nantes, France, before a July 18 fire now being investigated for arson.

Police release volunteer questioned over Nantes Catholic cathedral fire

Jul 20, 2020

A volunteer questioned by French police in connection with the fire at Nantes Cathedral has been released without charge.  Read more

The damage inside the Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul cathedral in Nantes, western France after a July 18 fire.

After Nantes cathedral fire, volunteer detained but not called a suspect

Jul 19, 2020

A 39-year-old cathedral volunteer has been detained as part of the arson investigation after a major fire at the Cathedral... Read more

The Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Amiens in France.

The 800-year-old cathedral that inspired the Notre-Dame de Paris spire

Jul 19, 2020

By Courtney Mares

While the spire of Notre-Dame de Paris was completely destroyed in last year’s devastating fire, another Notre-Dame cathedral, the largest... Read more

Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul of Nantes in western France.

French cathedral burns in suspected arson fire

Jul 18, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

A fire being investigated as arson at a historic cathedral in western France Saturday morning has been contained, according to... Read more

Bernard Preynat (2nd-L), a former priest who been convicted and sentenced for sexual assault, leaves the Lyon courthouse, Jan. 17, 2020.

Former French priest convicted of sexual abuse of minors

Mar 18, 2020

Bernard Preynat, a former priest of the Archdiocese of Lyon, was convicted and sentenced by a civil court Monday for... Read more

French bishops meet with Pope Francis in March, 2020.

French bishop tests positive for coronavirus after Vatican visit

Mar 16, 2020

By Courtney Mares

A French bishop who visited the Vatican last week has tested positive for coronavirus, his diocese announced Monday.  Read more

French Senate in June, 2019.

French Senate debates IVF law after thousands protest in Paris streets

Jan 21, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Debate began on a bioethics bill in the French Senate Tuesday after tens of thousands of people marched through the... Read more

Bernard Preynat, a former priest accused of sexual assault, leaves the Lyon courthouse, Jan. 13, 2020.

Former priest on trial in France for sexual abuse of minors

Jan 15, 2020

Bernard Preynat, a former priest of the Archdiocese of Lyon, is on trial before a civil court in France. He... Read more

French bishops vote to compensate abuse victims with Church funds 

Nov 11, 2019

The bishops of France on Saturday approved plans to offer financial compensation to victims of sexual abuse by clergy.  Read more

Cathedral of Saint Mary of Oloron-Sainte-Marie, France.

French cathedral robbed in battering-ram raid

Nov 4, 2019

A cathedral in southwestern France was robbed of chalices and other religious items after a gang rammed open the door... Read more

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament along route of Chartres pilgrimage June 9, 2019.

Chartres Pentecost pilgrimage draws 14,000

Jun 13, 2019

By Courtney Mares

More than 14,000 Catholics walked 62 miles from Paris to Chartres Cathedral in three days in an annual Pentecost pilgrimage... Read more