Catholic churches in France have a bad landlord: the French government
9 days ago
- #Secularism
- #Medieval Architecture
- #French Churches
- French churches have many statues with heads lobbed off, a result of the French Revolution's anti-Church sentiment.
- The Church in France is historically significant, referred to as the 'eldest daughter of the Church'.
- Headless statues symbolize more than stone; they represent bishops, martyrs, saints, and Catholic faith.
- Most church buildings in France built before 1905 are owned by the State or local municipalities, not the Church.
- The 1905 law established laïcité (secularism), leading to State ownership of churches but requiring their upkeep.
- Many rural churches are in disrepair, with headless statues, moss-covered walls, and unstable pews.
- Vézelay's Basilica of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine showcases medieval architectural brilliance, aligning with solstices.
- The French State's ownership of churches creates tension, as it remains largely unsupportive of the Catholic Church.
- Modern challenges to Catholicism in France include terrorism (e.g., Fr. Hamel's murder) and cultural mockery (e.g., Olympics parody).
- Vézelay offers a spiritual escape, blending architecture and cosmic symbolism.