Religion

‘Drag queen’ scene: Paris Olympic organisers ‘sorry’ if caused offence

A scene during the opening ceremony was thought by some people be a ‘disrespectful’ depiction of The Last Supper painting featuring Christ. Others say it was actually based on Greek gods

Why you won’t be hearing church bells much in France for a few days

A trip to Rome, a visit to the Vatican, and lots of chocolate eggs: Where the bells go at Easter

Did you know? 12 Franco-Irish links to celebrate St Patrick’s Day

Links between the two countries go back centuries, including to the saint himself

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PHOTOS: It began with a candle in 1852: Lyon’s Light Festival returns

Find out more about this internationally renowned festival here

France tightens security around synagogues and Jewish schools

The interior minister said France was ‘doing everything we can for our Jewish compatriots, because what is happening outside of the country has repercussions in our country’

Ban on abaya dress in French schools divides opinion

Religious experts share arguments for or against the long robes recently banned in secular state schools

Pope Francis in Marseille for unofficial visit focused on immigration

The city was chosen to highlight the migration crisis and loss of life in the Mediterranean sea, a deeply important issue for the Pope. ‘I am visiting Marseille, not France,’ he said

Can a divorced person remarry in a church in France?

It is important to distinguish between the civil and religious parts of a French marriage

Laïcité: a bedrock of modern France

The importance of a secular state is seen as a key French value - but it can cause controversy, as Jacqueline Karp explains

Abaya dress worn by some Muslim girls is banned from schools in France

‘When you walk into a classroom, you should not be able to tell what religion the pupils are just by looking at them,’ said the Education Minister

How I converted €45,000 French ruin into high-end home

The property has undergone complete renovation, including bespoke stained glass windows

French seaside town bans bathers from wearing burkinis

The mayor of Fréjus said burkinis ‘run counter to our fundamental republican principle of secularism

‘The main reason to live in France’: Your views on French secularism

Most readers agree with the principle - although with caveats

Far-right cause cancellation of US organist’s concert in France

Protesters from the religious nationalist group Civitas claimed the concert in Brittany was ‘intolerably profane’

French court orders removal of Virgin Mary statue as it is religious

The Bordeaux appeal court ruled the statue must be removed from a public street as it infringes upon France’s strict laws on secularism

Why does eastern France celebrate Saint-Nicolas today?

Father Christmas may be known for his present delivery on December 24, but in the east of France, another bearded figure bearing gifts – saint Nicolas – is still celebrated much earlier, on December 6.

Less than half of people believe in God in 2021, French poll finds

Older people aged 65 and over are most likely to believe, but faith is also high among 18-34s. We also look at how to find an English-speaking church service in France

‘We wanted to show women pastors (and lesbian ones) exist in France'

Newlywed pastors Emeline Daudé and Agnès Kauffmann hope their church blessing in Montpellier will inspire other gay couples

Nantes cathedral arson suspect questioned over murder of priest

The Rwandan man had been denied asylum, sparking a political row as to why he was in France. The Interior Minister says he could not be extradited as he was under judicial review

French nuns in bid to sell 9,000 bottles of rosé wine by Monday

Abbey sisters place 'Divine Box' wine online after usual fairs cancelled by Covid

Catholic masses are held in English due to popular demand

Catholics have started holding occasional masses in English in south Charente, an area of France popular with Britons

Candlemas in France: Regional crêpes for La Chandeleur

40 days after Christmas Eve in France comes the nearest French equivalent to pancake day: Fête de la Chandeleur

French town's historic links to Joe Biden's inauguration

Family bible the President used at his swearing-in ceremony is a well-known English translation that was first published in France - while his middle name also has French origins

Photos: The best galettes des rois as France marks Epiphany

From almond cream to candied fruits, from zest pastry to pillowy brioche, we explore the most creative takes on this year’s Epiphany galettes

Musical sister act raises funds for French convent

Nuns film short musical comedy to help raise money for wheelchair facilities

Covid rules: Attendance at religious services increased

New measures mean that places of worship can allow one person to every three seats, rather than a maximum of 30 people

The Paris church visited by royals and even John Lennon

The ‘hidden’ church of St Michael’s in Paris has been welcoming visitors since 1834, among them ambassadors, members of the British Royal Family and musicians

France: Bars and restaurants may not open before January 15

Hospitality sites may not be permitted to reopen until next year, as ‘non-essential’ shops and religious sites wait to find out if they will be able to reopen from December 1

Simon Heffer: What is the way forward for secular France?

Better ways need to be found to fight religious radicalisation, says The Connexion and Telegraph columnist Simon Heffer

French companies ‘not threatened’ by Middle East boycott

Calls to boycott French products in the wake of the row over Islamic cartoons are not a threat to French exports, business heads have said

Call to boycott French products in Islamic caricatures row

The calls are spreading on social media following President Macron's speech at the memorial ceremony in honour of slain teacher Samuel Paty

French teacher killing: 11 in custody as solidarity grows

The 11th person in custody is a friend of the attacker. Several marches in homage to the murdered teacher are taking place today

Found! French family of World War Two mystery Bible owner

The French family of the owner of a lost Bible that was found by an English soldier on the battlefields of World War Two has been traced via social media.

Nantes Cathedral fire: Man questioned as enquiry continues

A man is being questioned in connection with the fire that started at the Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul Cathedral in Nantes (Loire-Atlantique) yesterday (Saturday July 18), as investigations into the incident continue.

Gay conversion therapy to be banned in France

Electric shocks and other treatment to try to “convert” young homosexuals will be banned if MPs back a new law being put to parliament.

Hiker, 70, survives five days in French wilderness

The 70-year-old “veteran hiker” spent four nights lost in the Sainte-Baume mountains in Var (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur) after leaving for a one-day hike without a mobile phone.

Architecture in France: the churches of the north east

Explore the fortified churches of La Thiérache.

Secrets and rituals of the French monarchy in Reims

In her series revealing the history of France’s cities, art historian Julia Faiers sheds light on the sacred coronation rituals of the French monarchy in Reims.

Religious gathering ban is illegal, says high court

Religious gatherings should be allowed to restart in France, the country’s highest administrative body which also acts as a high court has said.

Word on a shell as seen by St-Jacques hikers in France

Did you know?

French teenager’s rant confirms ‘right to blaspheme’

“Blasphemy is not a crime” in France, President Macron has insisted, after a teenager’s online anti-Islam rant provoked outrage.

Imam’s cautious welcome for French president speech

Plans announced by President Macron to combat “Islamic separatism” have been cautiously welcomed by the Grand Imam de Bordeaux.

French local history: Lourdes

What turned a quiet quarry town into a pilgrims’ hotspot: The Connexion reveals how five words changed the history of Lourdes

Macron announces measures against ‘Islamic separatism’

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced a series of measures designed to combat “Islamic separatism” in France - including new rules on foreign imams and education.

Crêpes at the ready as France celebrates Chandeleur

Today (Sunday February 2) marks the Christian festival of Chandeleur, which is traditionally celebrated in France by the making of crêpe pancakes.

Corners of France are forever England

France is home to more than 10 purpose-built Anglican churches. The Connexion discovers more about some of them

France celebrates with traditional galette des rois

It is galette des rois season in France, as the country marks Epiphany on January 6, and bakers compete to make the best, most original versions of the popular patisserie.

English church services in France this Christmas

A list of English-language church services in France this Christmas period

Unclear if strikes to continue in France at Christmas

With just 10 days to go until Christmas, it is still not clear whether TGV and train workers will continue to strike in France over the holiday period, as the Prime Minister warns strikers to “take responsibility”.

Christmas nativity scenes spark debate in France

Debate over the legality of public nativity scenes in France has been sparked again this year after activists sent a note to all departments, reminding them of the “steps to take” to respect the law.

‘It’s so macho to dictate what women can wear’

Sara El Attar tells Connexion why she spoke up for the 'thousands of women like her' during a debate on CNews

French nun refused retirement home space due to habit

A Catholic nun in France has been stopped from taking up her place in a retirement home after she refused to stop wearing her religious habit as a condition for living there.

Senate votes to ban signs of religion on school trips

The French Senate has voted to ban parents from displaying any signs of religion or wearing religious clothing when accompanying their children on public school trips.

Bayeux Tapestry definitely French, professor claims

The Bayeux Tapestry - the 68-metre, 11th century account of the 1066 Battle of Hastings - was always intended to be hung in France and not England, new research by a British professor has claimed.

French president says Muslim hijab ‘not my business’

President Emmanuel Macron has said that it is “not his business” whether Muslim women wear a hijab in public spaces - but that it “is his business” when it comes to public services.

Macron: France warned over ‘deadly Islamist ideology’

France should be alert to signs of radical Islam that deviate from “the laws and values of the Republic”, President Macron has said, in a speech to honour the victims of last week’s police attack.

Secret history of France's cities: Albi

In the second of a series revealing the history of France’s cities, art historian and medievalist Julia Faiers visits Albi, in the Tarn

Paris pool closes due to ‘pro-burkini’ protest

A public pool in Paris closed this weekend after pro-burkini activists mounted a protest against the ban on the body-covering swimsuit, and demanding “access for all to leisure facilities”.

French lottery boost for chapel dedicated to cyclists

Notre Dame des Cyclistes listed among 121 French monuments to get restoration funds from this year's Heritage Lottery

Gay couple protest at ‘homophobic’ church

A British couple have been demonstrating in front of an Anglican church – saying they have been “banned” because they are gay.

My agony: to stay a priest or to marry?

David Gréa asked God and the Pope for help with an impossible choice when as a priest he fell in love. He tells Connexion about his life-changing decision

Macron: Notre-Dame will be rebuilt as fund nears €1bn

President Emmanuel Macron has pledged that the Notre-Dame cathedral will be rebuilt within the next five years, as thousands have gathered to pay their respects, and the rebuilding fund nears €1 billion.

Notre-Dame: Fire believed accidental, as France reacts

The fire at Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris yesterday (April 15) was likely caused by construction work, firefighters have said, as art historians, MPs, business leaders, and the public react to the disaster.

French villagers open their doors for advent

Mythbuster: France is a strongly Catholic country

France is regarded as a Catholic country, but the actual number of people who go to church every week is the lowest of any ‘Catholic country’, and surveys show religion is not part of life for most people.

What women wear is not up for debate

Samantha David says that women should be able to dress how they want, when they want

Church puts visitors on notice over phones

Visitors to one church in Corsica urged to turn off phones - and warned what could happen if they use their phones while driving

Spiritual site where solace meets commercial forces

All this year, Lourdes is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the apparition of the Virgin Mary in a small grotto. Samantha David pays a visit to France’s wildly popular holy location

Secret history of buildings - September 2018

Mont St Michel has always attracted visitors, from pilgrims to today’s tourists. Jane Hanks traces its buildings’ evolution

Exciting changes for Aquitaine pastoral care

New vicar ordained in Bordeaux

No handshake, no citizenship

Refusing to shake the hand of a male prefecture official cost a woman her right to citizenship as she had not “assimilated French republican values”.

Row over centuries-old Mont-Saint-Michel manuscript

A row has erupted over a 12th century Mont-Saint-Michel manuscript that was due to be auctioned in May, as the government says it should not be sold, and instead belongs to the State.

Crêpes and history: The ancient roots of Chandeleur

Today (February 2) many people will eat crêpes to celebrate the festival of “Chandeleur” - known as "Candlemas" in English - a lesser-known Catholic celebration that marks the “Presentation of Jesus at the Temple”.

Hunt for alleged murderer leads to silent monastery

The trail of one of France’s most wanted alleged murderers, Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès, took police to a silent monastery this week, with lacklustre results.

La Madeleine church to hold monthly mass for Hallyday

The church of La Madeleine in Paris has announced that it will hold a monthly mass in honour of the late Johnny Hallyday, in response to “demand”.