Did Napoleon impact on religion

Answer 1

In 1797, Napoleon said to a Milan parish priest:

"Society without religion is like a ship without a compass."

Though emperor for life, losses in Russia and Waterloo led to his banishment in 1815 to the South Atlantic Island of Saint Helena, where he dictated his Mémoires to General de Montholon, Baron Gourgaud and General Bertrand.

His conversations were also recorded by Emmanuel de Las Cases in Memorial de Sainte Hélène.

During his captivity, Napoleon complained to Montholon of having no chaplain. Pope Pius VII petitioned England to grant Napoleon's wish and Abbé Vignali became his chaplain.

Napoleon affirmed to Montholon his belief in God and read aloud the Old Testament, the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles.

Napoleon stated:

"The Bible is no mere book, but a Living Creature, with a power that conquers all that oppose it."

So we can see that he for sure held scirpture in high regard... but beyond that.. who can really know?

Answer 2

Yes, he did, by means of the Concordat.

A potential source of opposition to Napoleon was the Church.

Napoleon knew very well the deep conservatism of the French peasants in religious matters and strove to harness this sentiment to his advantage, seeking a reconciliation with the Pope. He once said "the people must have a religion and the same must be in the hands of the government".

This was probably the boldest decision of his entire life, and in a certain verse was one of the heaviest blow inflicted to the Republican rule.

Napoleon was able to overcome the harsh opposition of the Republican members of the government and of the military establishment, acting practically alone, with almost no help. The Treaty was signed in 1801, but Napoleon dared to publish to relevant articles only after a year and even then the matter required a lot of courage and decision.

However, the advantages widely compensated the risks as, in one shot the First Consul had shattered the most effective weapon of the royalist Propaganda, because from that moment on, the Bourbon could no more claim of being the only defenders of the Christian traditions in France. At the same time helped to pacify the Vendée and improved the relations with Belgium and Italy, which were strong Catholic countries.