What happened to make France all Catholic?

Answer 1

France has at various times been Catholic, but never for very long. During the period of early Christianity, Arians occupied much of south-western France, but under pressure from the Catholic Church they retreated into their stronghold in Spain.

After the Catholic Church was fully established throughout France, Cathars from eastern Europe came to dominate much of southern France, A period of persecution, a crusade initiated by the pope and, finally, the introduction of the Medieval Inquisition saw the last of the Cathars exterminated.in the thirteenth century. Once again, France was Catholic.

The Reformation saw a strong Protestant movement in France, but it was not to last. Protestant leaders such as Calvin escaped for their lives. Other movements followed, particularly the Huguenots. In 1576, by the Peace of Monsieur, the Huguenots were granted permission to worship throughout France except in the vicinity of Paris. Further persecution followed and, towards the end of the following century, Huguenots fled the country.

The Church hierarchy was closely identified with the monarchy - they were generally of aristocratic origin, wealthy and disinterested in the spiritual and pastoral role of the Church. In 1789, the Assembly seized all Church lands, and abolished religious orders and nearly half the bishoprics in France. The following year, religion was abolished and the Reign of Terror commenced.

Then, in 1795, religious tolerance was introduced.

Napoleonic France emancipated its religious minorities in the early 1800s, meaning that the state would no longer persecute non-Catholics. However the new threat to Catholic dominance came, not from Protestantism but from loss of faith. In 1841, 47 per cent of those in Paris eligible to take Easter communion had done so; half a century later the percentage had fallen to 16 per cent. Today, only a minority of French people regard themselves as religious, so it is no longer true to call France a 'Catholic' country.