wfn.org | Signing of Edict of Nantes commemorated in Paris

[FRANK_IMHOFF.parti@ecunet.org (FRANK IMHOFF)]

PARIS/GENEVA, March 10, 1998 (lwi/eni) - A ceremony to mark the 400th
anniversary of the Edict of Nantes which granted extensive rights to French
Protestants in a predominantly Roman Catholic country, was held in Paris,
Feb. 18. The commemoration took place at the headquarters of UNESCO (United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). Lutheran
pastor, Jean Tartier, president of the Protestant Federation of France
(PFF) presided, in the presence of French President Jacques Chirac,
Christian leaders and representatives of other faiths.

The edict, which brought an end to the French wars of religion by giving
French Protestants civil equality with Roman Catholics, was signed by
French King Henry IV, in April 1598, after several years of negotiation and
36 years of bloodshed. Protestants in France were granted freedom of
conscience and freedom to practice their faith throughout most of France.
Eighty-seven years later, King Louis XIV revoked the Edict of Nantes,
ushering in a new wave of persecution against Protestants, many of whom
fled to neighboring countries, particularly Germany, England and the
Netherlands.

President of the Reformed Church of France, the Rev. Michel Bertrand,
pointed out in his speech that the edict "allowed - for the first time - in
Europe - the coexistence of two religions in the same country. At a stroke,
even though there were many restrictions, it became possible for
Protestants to be recognized both as Christians and as citizens." He said
the anniversary provided an opportunity to promote tolerance for all
religious groups in France, especially Islam.

The Rev. Tartier stressed that the edict was not simply something that
concerned Protestants "but was a first step toward ecumenical
reconciliation which was followed by many others."

In his speech, President Chirac underlined that the Edict of Nantes is for
us, today, both a lesson in tolerance and in vigilance, "It was a first
step toward recognizing people of different opinions," he said. "At that
time, France lived through a lengthy period of peace [until the edict was
revoked] because it had settled on an option for those of different
opinions. But civic peace is always fragile. The values and principles
which allow us to live together must be unceasingly reaffirmed and
defended."

Guests at the commemoration included Archbishop Louis-Marie Bille,
chairperson of the French Roman Catholic Bishops' Conference, Metropolitan
Jeremie, president of the Assembly of Orthodox Bishops in France, and
representatives of France's Muslim and Jewish communities.

Among a total population of 58 million, France has some 900,000 Protestant
citizens belonging to the 16 PFF member churches. There are about 42
million Roman Catholics and 2.5 million Muslims.

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Lutheran World Information
Editorial Assistant: Janet Bond-Nash
E-mail: jbn@lutheranworld.org
http://www.lutheranworld.org/