Assurer la continuité en régime de Séparation : les conseils paroissiaux ou curiaux dans le diocèse de Bourges (vers 1907-vers 1912)

Abstract

This article, based on a doctoral thesis, examines some aspects of the implementation of the law of December 9, 1905 on the Separation of Churches and State in the diocese of Bourges. This law, suppressing the Concordat and the religious budget, appears, at first glance, as a law of rupture, in particular for the financing of the Catholic Church. However, at the parish level, the Catholic Church has set up parish or curial councils with an operation inspired by the Concordat’ fabrics. These councils, without legal and official powers, strive to maintain the sources of income of the Catholic cult, either benches and chairs, quests or casual. They were made up of 6 members (including the parish priest) in parishes with more than 5,000 inhabitants and 4 members below this threshold. These councils brought together the old « fabriciens » who readily accepted to resume their functions of managing the resources of the parish. Nevertheless, the new councils were under the sole responsibility of the parish priest who chose its members. Clericalization was reinforced because the laity found themselves in a subordinate situation and of simple assistance to the priest in terms of management of parish revenues. These councils ensured a smooth transition and avoided the collapse of parish revenues: in many rural parishes, revenues and expenses remained stable compared to previous years. However, priests privileged prudence and avoided all the excessive and superfluous expenses.

Keywords

• Parish council
• fabric
• Separation of Church and State
• Catholic Church
• laity
• money