Predecessor | Cité catholique |
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Formation | 1999 |
Dissolved | 2023 |
Purpose | Started as a Conservative Christian lobby group; changed its status in 2016 and became a French political party |
Headquarters | Argenteuil (Val-d'Oise), France |
Methods | Teaching classes, conferences, protests |
Fields | Traditionalist Catholic activism |
Membership (2013) | c. 1000 |
President | Alain Escada |
Main organ | Civitas — Revue catholique des questions politiques et sociales |
Website | www |
This article is part of a series on |
Conservatism in France |
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Civitas, also known as France Jeunesse Civitas and Institut Civitas, was [1] an association generally considered to be Traditionalist Catholic, integrist, [2] [3] [4] nationalist, [5] and of the extreme right. [6] [7] [8] [9] The association defines itself as a "Traditionalist Catholic lobby group". [4] The group was once associated with the Society of St. Pius X, but it has evolved under the new leadership of Alain Escada and the "chaplaincy"[ further explanation needed ] is now provided by Capuchin Friars of Morgon. [10] On February 14, 2023, the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (GPAHE) released a report in which it classified Civitas as a "religious nationalist", "anti-LGBTQ+", and "conspiracy" group. [11]
Civitas was formed in 1999. It, and ICHTUS [ further explanation needed ], were split out from the integrist Cité catholique movement [12] [13] founded by the pro-Vichy intellectual Jean Ousset. [14]
Its media prominence dates from the appointment of its current president, Alain Escada, a Belgian militant of the extreme right with a background of Traditionalist Catholicism and Belgian nationalism, [15] [16] and an ex-member of the New Belgian Front (French : Front nouveau de Belgique, FNB), from which he was expelled in 1997. [17]
Escada became the secretary-general of Civitas in 2009. In 2012, he replaced François de Penfentenyo as president of Civitas.
At the start of 2013, Civitas claimed 1,000 members and 170,000 "sympathisers" on its mailing list. [18] Civitas had ambitions of winning 300 seats in the French municipal elections of 2014. [19]
In 2016, Civitas announced a status change, from a cultural organization to a French political party. [20] It is a major part of the Coalition pour la Vie et la Famille, a tiny European party.
On 4 October 2023, Civitas was officially dissolved by the French government. [1]
Civitas promotes the reChristianisation of France and Europe. It defines itself as a social and political movement in the "Traditionalist Catholic lobby", [4] a "movement whose cause is the restoration to society of the kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ". [21] It is not interested in taking part in abstract political theory, but instead teaches "techniques... useful in discussions on the subversive dialectic, learning fundamental skills for effective action: speaking in public meetings, launching associations, concrete action, etc." [22]
For historian Étienne Fouilloux, this militant association, in promoting the establishment of the restoration of the Kingdom of Christ on Earth, is against republicanism and thus the French Republic itself:
Civitas joue dans les mouvements catholiques un rôle homologue à celui des trotskystes ou des anarchistes dans les manifestations de gauche [...] celui d'une minorité agissante moins soucieuse de solutions concrètes que de tension révolutionnaire (ou contre-révolutionnaire)
[In Catholic circles, Civitas plays a role similar to that of Trotskyites or Anarchists in Leftist demonstrations ..., they are an activist minority less interested in finding concrete solutions than fomenting revolutionary (or counter-revolutionary) tension]
Civitas came to public attention in 2011, in Paris, when it demonstrated for several consecutive evenings in opposition to the performance of some plays, notably Romeo Castellucci's Sur le concept du visage du fils de Dieu (original Italian : Sul concetto di volto nel figlio di Dio, "On the concept of the Son of God's face") at the Théâtre de la Ville — one performance was interrupted by militants who climbed on stage and threw eggs and waste oil over the audience [24] — but also against the Théâtre du Rond-Point who were performing Rodrigo Garcia's Golgota Picnic , which they judged blasphemous. [25]
Civitas denounced what it called "Christianophobia" and organised another, larger demonstration on 29 October 2011, while Cardinal André Vingt-Trois, the president of the Bishops' Conference of France, restated that the demonstrators ne disposent d'aucun mandat pour défendre l’Église ("Had no mandate to defend the Church"). [26]
34 people were arrested for having disturbed the play Sur le concept du visage du fils de Dieu at the Théâtre de la Ville in Paris in October 2011. [25] 32 were arrested and in June 2013 appeared before a Paris tribunal for "obstructing freedom of expression", which carried a fine of up to €5,000. Two defendants were found not guilty, three found guilty with fines of €1,500, €1,800, and €2,000, the others fined between €600 and €800. [27] [28]
In June 2012, Civitas released a tract with the slogan Confieriez-vous des enfants à ces gens-là? ("Would you trust your children with these men?"). On the photo, of a gay pride parade, one can see two naked men. [29]
In November 2012, Civitas organised a march from the Ministry of the Family to the Assemblée Nationale, demonstrating against the policy of "Marriage for all"; according to police sources, nearly 8,000 people marched against "homofolie" ("gay madness"). [30]
On 13 January 2013, the association La Manif pour tous — organised to protest the proposed law allowing same-sex marriage, but which excluded Civitas [31] — called for a national demonstration against the proposed law. Civitas militants, who had opposed the "Barjot concept", gathered to leave from the Place Pinel. [32] They protested against same-sex marriage with the motto "Catholics for the Family". The organisers claimed attendance of 50,000, but police sources claimed around 8,000, [33] while reports differed across the media, such as in Le Monde [34] and Le Nouvel Observateur. [35] L'Express said there were "several thousand demonstrators". [36]
At the end of January 2014, Civitas backed Farida Belghoul, who had initiated journées de retrait de l'école ("stay away from school days") in protest against the supposed teaching of what she called "gender theory" (French : théorie du genre, more often called Gender studies) in public establishments. In this context, Civitas was criticised for a photo series on its website showing a sex education teacher in compromising sexual positions. [37] Accused by the Press and his opponents of spreading false rumours [38] (the photo came from Canada), Civitas justified their actions by saying they did not have the means to authenticate its origins and it was not out of character for their chosen subject. In response, Le Monde published an article demonstrating that it was trivial and quick to authenticate the origin of the images. [38]
A new row developed some days later, when Civitas called for harassment of the TV network Arte to prevent broadcast of the critically acclaimed film Tomboy , which Civitas called "gender theory propaganda" (propagande pour l’idéologie du genre). Civitas stated that Ce film ne répond pas à la mission d’Arte qui est de "concevoir, réaliser et diffuser des émissions de télévision ayant un caractère culturel ("This film does not fulfill Arte's mission as the 'inventor, maker and broadcaster of television programmes of a cultural nature'"). Civitas advocated protesting poliment mais fermement! Par téléphone, par fax ou par mail ("Politely, but firmly, by telephone, fax or post"). [39] [40]
Civitas' actions against the Romeo Castellucci play was deprecated by diverse groups including the Mayor of Paris and senior Catholic dignitaries. [41]
Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, a Government spokesmen, said that Civitas' slogan Non à l'homofolie ("No to gay madness"), used at the November 2012 demonstration, was "misplaced". Other incidents occurred on the margins of the event. Some members of the feminist group FEMEN, topless and wearing a parody of a nun's habit, used powder fire extinguishers to spray demonstrators [42] including, according to the organisers, children. Journalist Caroline Fourest, an AFP photographer and FEMEN [43] were attacked [44] and some were beaten. [45] [46] The police made five arrests. After these incidents, six socialist députés [47] (elected politicians) demanded the break-up of Civitas. [48] [ unreliable source? ]
According to the historian Galia Ackerman, it is part of Civitas' order of service to attack Femen. [49] According to the writer René Guitton:
L'institut intégriste avait voulu se distinguer des autres courants catholiques en initiant sa propre marche, celle en marge de laquelle des militantes féministes et des journalistes furent agressés par des participants au défilé
[This integrist institution had wanted to distinguish itself from other Catholic groups by having its own march, on the margins of which feminists and journalists were attacked by the marchers]
But according to Civitas, the demonstration was a "victim" of militant feminists. [42] Siding with Civitas, Jacques Bompard, deputy mayor of Orange, denounced the feminists who, according to him, were responsible for the outbursts. [51] Civitas said they had filed a complaint for exhibitionism. [52] [53] Caroline Fourest, one of those involved in the violence, also filed a complaint. [54]
Civitas publishes a quarterly review entitled Civitas – Revue catholique des questions politiques et sociales ("Civitas – Catholic review of political and social questions"). It publishes news about the movement, and analyses the major political themes of the day.
Same-sex marriage has been legal in France since 18 May 2013, making France the thirteenth country in the world and the ninth in Europe to allow same-sex couples to marry. The legislation applies to metropolitan France as well as to all French overseas departments and territories. Polling suggests that a significant majority of French people support the legal recognition of same-sex marriage.
Same-sex marriage has been legal in Switzerland since 1 July 2022. Legislation to open marriage to same-sex couples passed the Swiss Parliament in December 2020. The law was challenged in a referendum on 26 September 2021 by opponents of same-sex marriage and was approved with the support of 64% of voters and a majority in all 26 cantons. The law went into force on 1 July 2022. A provision of the law permitting same-sex marriages performed abroad to be recognised in Switzerland took effect on 1 January 2022. Switzerland was the seventeenth country in Europe and the 30th in the world to allow same-sex couples to marry.
Same-sex marriage has been legal in Luxembourg since 1 January 2015. A bill for the legalisation of same-sex marriages was enacted by the Chamber of Deputies on 18 June 2014 and signed into law by Grand Duke Henri on 4 July. Polling suggests that a majority of Luxembourgers support the legal recognition of same-sex marriage. Luxembourg was the last Benelux country, the tenth in Europe and the sixteenth in the world to allow same-sex couples to marry nationwide.
Caroline Fourest, is a French writer, film director, journalist, radio presenter at France Culture, and editor of the magazine ProChoix. She was also a columnist for Charlie Hebdo, for Le Monde until 14 July 2012, and she joined Marianne in 2016. She frequently appears on French media to discss issues related to Muslims, feminism, Charlie Hebdo and Israel.
CNews is a French free-to-air opinion channel launched on 4 November 1999 by Groupe Canal+. It provides 24-hour national and global news coverage. It is the second most watched news network in France, after BFM TV and before LCI and France Info.
Marc Le Fur is a French politician who has represented the 3rd constituency of the Côtes-d'Armor department in the National Assembly from 2002 to 2024. A member of The Republicans (LR), he previously held the seat from 1993 to 1997.
Dominique Venner was a French historian, journalist, and essayist. Venner was a member of the Organisation armée secrète and later became a European nationalist, founding the neo-fascist and white nationalist Europe-Action, before withdrawing from politics to focus on a career as a historian. He specialized in military and political history. At the time of his death, he was the editor of the La Nouvelle Revue d'Histoire, a bimonthly history magazine.
Minute was a weekly newspaper, initially right-wing but later far-right, circulated in France from 1962 to 2020. Its editorial position is satirical and conservative. According to figures provided by the paper's management, it had a circulation of 40,000 copies a week in 2006. Its headquarters is in Paris.
Virginie Tellenne better known by her alias Frigide Barjot, is a French humorist, columnist and political activist. A former socialite of the Parisian nightlife, who organized events defending the Catholic faith in the 2000s, Barjot rose to prominence in the early 2010s in France as a vocal campaigner against same-sex marriage and LGBT adoption.
The Coalition for Life and Family or Coalition pour la vie et la famille was a European political party that focused on opposing abortion and promoting traditional family values against homosexuality. In 2016, the party applied for and received public funding from the European Union for the year 2017; however, in 2017, it did not register with the newly created Authority for European political parties and European political foundations.
Alain Escada, born 16 May 1970 in Brussels, is a Belgian far-right activist. Since 2012, he has been the chairman of Civitas, a French Traditionalist Catholic organization. Under his leadership, in 2012–13, Civitas opposed same-sex marriage in France, with Escada calling it a "Pandora's box" for polygamy and incest.
Emmanuelle Ménard is a French journalist and politician who represented the 6th constituency of Hérault in the National Assembly from 2017 to 2024.
The General Alliance against Racism and for Respect for French and Christian Identity is a French organization tied to the far-right and Catholic integralism that fights against speech it considers to violate French hate speech laws by being hateful towards Christians or the French people. Recognized as an anti racism organization by the French court system, the organization has brought several cases before court and won a few cases in the Court of Cassation in the 1990s, but has had little legal success more recently. On February 14, 2023, the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (GPAHE) released a report in which it classified l'AGRIF as an "anti-muslim" group.
Bernard Boucault is a French public official. He was previously director of the École nationale d'administration. He was head of the Paris police from 2012 until 2015. He has been involved in several high-profile police actions, involving protestors in 2013 and the Football Championship of France concerning Paris Saint-Germain F.C. in 2013.
L'Œuvre Française, also called L'Œuvre, was a French nationalist, néo-Pétainist and antisemitic far-right movement founded in 1968 by Pierre Sidos. Inspired by the "semi-fascist" regimes of Vichy France, Francoist Spain and the Estado Novo, L'Œuvre Française was—until its dissolution by the authorities in 2013—the oldest nationalist association still active in France.
The Association of LGBTI Journalists is an LGBTI group founded in France in 2013. This French nonprofit association works towards a better media coverage of LGBTI issues, of issues related to gender identity and sexual orientation. Its members are journalists from a wide range of newsrooms as well as freelance journalists. Since 2017, the AJL has been organizing an annual ceremony, the « Out d’or », during which artists, journalists and diverse personalities are awarded for their work towards LGBTI visibility.
The Syndicat de la famille, better known under its original name of La Manif pour tous (LMPT), is a nonprofit organization and political movement based in France which is responsible for most of the anti-gender and anti-LGBT demonstrations and actions that took place between 2012 and 2013, in opposition to the legalization of same-sex marriage in France, as well as against the adoption of children by same-sex couples in France.
Ludovine de La Rochère is a French activist. She is president and co-founder of La Manif pour tous.
Collectif Némésis is an organisation in France and Switzerland for women aged 18 to 30, describing itself as feminist and identitarian. The organisation is named after Nemesis, the Greek goddess of revenge, and was founded by Alice Cordier in 2019. The organisation believes in a connection between immigration and crime, namely that non-European immigrants, particularly Muslims, present an elevated risk of violence towards women. The organisation has been condemned as racist by mainstream feminist organisations.
On May 23, 2023, an individual attacked the LGBT center in Tours, France, with an explosive device containing acid and aluminum. The attack resulted in no casualties as the people inside the center managed to move away from the device. An investigation for attempted murder has been opened.
Les catholiques intégristes sont arrivés à Port-Royal. Le cortège est composé de quelques milliers de manifestants. Un groupe des jeunesses nationalistes est présent, avec une centaine de skinheads. Ils sont toujours très encadrés par la police pour prévenir tout débordement.
dimanche 13 January, quelques milliers de manifestants opposés au mariage entre personnes de même sexe ont répondu présents à l'appel lancé par l'institut Civitas, proche des catholiques intégristes
Les catholiques intégristes et nationalistes, fortement encadrés par la police, ont répondu dimanche à l'appel de Civitas. Ils étaient quelques milliers à défiler en marge des trois défilés organisés par "La Manif pour tous".
Au cours de la manifestation organisée dimanche par l'institut Civitas contre le mariage gay, des militantes du mouvement féministe ukrainien Femen ont été agressées. Le reportage photo de notre envoyé spécial, Mehdi Chebil