Catholic Church in France
The Latest
French bishops lament country’s enshrinement of abortion in constitution
The French Bishops’ Conference said it was “saddened” by the Senate’s overwhelming passage of the constitutional measure. Read more
Notre Dame cathedral spire to be unveiled nearly 5 years after devastating fire
Deconstruction of the scaffolding surrounding the spire — which reaches 330 feet in height — will take several months, the... Read more
French bishops express solidarity with striking farmers
French Catholic bishops have expressed solidarity with the country’s agricultural workers amid protests that have seen farmers block major roadways... Read more
‘Right to abortion’ to be codified in French Constitution
The plan to write access to abortion into France’s constitution was announced by President Emmanuel Macron in October 2023. Read more
French bishops delineate support for Fiducia Supplicans
The Permanent Council of the French Bishops’ Conference offered carefully delineated support for the Fiducia Supplicans declaration on pastoral blessings. Read more
French bishops instruct priests to refrain from blessing homosexual couples
Nine bishops from France have instructed priests in their dioceses that they may bless homosexual individuals but should refrain from... Read more
French bishop charged with attempted 2013 rape of adult man
Pope Francis has appointed an apostolic administrator of the La Rochelle and Saintes Diocese, while Bishop Georges Colomb will retain... Read more
Pope Francis appoints coadjutor to French diocese where ordinations were halted
Bishop François Touvet of Châlons will serve alongside the current bishop of Fréjus-Toulon, Dominique Rey, and will succeed him upon... Read more
Altar vandalized, sacred vessels stolen from Sacred Heart Basilica in France
During the night of Nov. 14–15, unidentified persons destroyed the altar and stole sacred vessels from the Sacred Heart Basilica... Read more
Islamist kills teacher at French high school, bishop condemns the terrorist attack
The bishop of Arras, France, Olivier Leborgne, condemned the murder of a teacher by a young Islamist and the terrorist... Read more
Pope Francis: Be Christians who ‘leap for joy’ in the face of life
Pope Francis celebrated Mass for an estimated 50,000 people in Marseille’s Vélodrome Stadium on Sept. 23. Read more
Pope Francis: Migrant crisis requires wisdom, not ‘alarmist propaganda’
“Those who risk their lives at sea do not invade, they look for welcome,” the Holy Father insisted. Read more
Pope Francis: People — not machines — are the value of work
He also said businessmen and businesswomen can contribute to the common good through job creation, especially for young people. Read more
Unrest in France: Religious leaders call for dialogue and calm
The French bishops also have proposed a prayer for the restoration of peace in the country. Read more
Investigation opened into alleged abuse by Paris Foreign Mission Society priests
The French bishops’ conference said the official investigation has come at the request of the superior general of the Paris... Read more
France’s Catholic clergy to carry ID cards proving they are in good standing
The French Bishops’ Conference announced the change as part of a large set of measures designed to “intensify the fight... Read more
French bishops vote to open sainthood cause of Henri de Lubac
Henri de Lubac is considered by many to be one of the most important theologians of the 20th century. Read more
French church vandalized with satanic and anarchist graffiti
The walls of Sacred Heart Church, located in Bordeaux were vandalized with satanic graffiti and communist and anarchist symbols March... Read more
Watchdog raises concerns after arson attacks on German, French churches
Following an arson attack on a historic church in Germany, a European watchdog has raised concerns over hate crimes targeting... Read more
Skull of St. Thomas Aquinas unveiled for 700th anniversary of his canonization
The skull of St. Thomas Aquinas has arrived at the Dominican Convent of Toulouse, France, and placed in a new... Read more
