Brigham Young University BYU ScholarsArchive Theses and Dissertations 2009-03-12 French Laïcité and the Popularity of the Pacs Ashley Gaylene Trupp Mattson Brigham Young University - Provo Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd Part of the French and Francophone Language and Literature Commons, and the Italian Language and Literature Commons BYU ScholarsArchive Citation Mattson, Ashley Gaylene Trupp, "French Laïcité and the Popularity of the Pacs" (2009). Theses and Dissertations. 1755. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/1755 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact scholarsarchive@byu.edu, ellen_amatangelo@byu.edu. FRENCH LAÏCITÉ AND THE POPULARITY OF THE PACS The relationship between the Catholic religion and heterosexual Civil Unions in France by Ashley Gaylene Trupp Mattson A thesis submitted to the faculty of Brigham Young University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Department of French and Italian Brigham Young University April 2009 Brigham Young University GRADUATE COMMITTEE APPROVAL of a thesis submitted by Ashley Gaylene Trupp Mattson This thesis has been read by each member of the following graduate committee and by majority vote has been found to be satisfactory. Committee Chair: ________________________ Date: ____________ Dr. Nicolaas Unlandt Reader 2: _______________________________ Date: ____________ Dr. Daryl Lee Reader 3: _______________________________ Date: ____________ Dr. Corry Cropper FINAL READING APPROVAL AND ACCEPTANCE Brigham Young University As chair of the candidate’s graduate committee, I have read the thesis of Ashley Gaylene Trupp Mattson in its final form and have found that (1) its format, citations, and bibliographical style are consistent and acceptable and fulfill university and department style requirements; (2) its illustrative materials including figures, tables, and charts are in place; and (3) the final manuscript is satisfactory to the graduate committee and is ready for submission to the university library. Date: _____________ _________________________ Dr. Nicolaas Unlandt Chair, Graduate Committee Accepted for the Department Date: _____________ _________________________ Dr. Corry Cropper Graduate Coordinator Accepted for the College Date: _____________ _________________________ Dr. Joseph Parry Associate Dean ABSTRACT French Laïcité and the Popularity of the Pacs: The relationship between the Catholic religion and heterosexual Civil Unions in France Ashley Gaylene Trupp Mattson Department of French and Italian Master of Arts Civil unions are currently divisive issues in the United States. Religion has historically influenced these debates. The French version of civil union, the Pacte Civil de Solidarité (Pacs,) was created in 1999 after seven years of debate. Many have written about the Pacs in the last decade. However, few have explored the direct correlations with France’s relationship with Catholicism, her dominant religion that is doctrinally opposed to any sexual relationships outside of marriage. Laïcité has influenced a steady decrease in religiosity among French Catholics. This thesis explores the impact of this religious decline on the creation and surprising popularity of the Pacs, especially among heterosexual couples seeking an alternative to traditional marriage. The author believes that French society’s tendency to modify institutions to meet the needs of the times assures a permanent place in society for both marriage and the Catholic Church, though both will probably continue to change forms. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Graduate Committee Approval ........................................................................................................ ii Final Reading Approval and Acceptance ........................................................................................ iii Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... iv Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................. v Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 1: From Matrimony to Free Union: Catholic Doctrines Relating to Marriage, Divorce, Family and Sex ................................................................................................................................ 5 Marriage Doctrines ..................................................................................................................... 6 Doctrines on the Family............................................................................................................ 11 Teachings on Divorce ............................................................................................................... 13 Social Responsibility ................................................................................................................ 15 Let’s Talk About Sex ................................................................................................................ 17 And as for the Pacs ................................................................................................................... 19 Chapter 2: French Catholicism: The Prodigal “Oldest Daughter of the Church” .......................... 21 Understanding the French Model of Laïcité ............................................................................. 21 Declining Through the Decades ............................................................................................... 25 Perception versus Reality .................................................................................................... 32 French Catholics Today ............................................................................................................ 34 vi The “Sinking Ship” ................................................................................................................... 39 Chapter 3: Creation of the “Mariage bis” ...................................................................................... 42 A Brief Introduction to French Government and the Code Civil.............................................. 42 The Pacs Debates in l'Assemblée Nationale ............................................................................. 44 The Philosophy Behind Théry’s “Démariage” ................................................................... 48 Defining “Mariage bis” ....................................................................................................... 52 The Opposition .................................................................................................................... 53 Majority Rules ..................................................................................................................... 55 Chapter 4: The Pacs: Civil Union à la française ........................................................................... 58 Unanticipated Popularity .......................................................................................................... 58 Death and Taxes? ...................................................................................................................... 60 Commitment Issues? ................................................................................................................. 62 Easy Path to Citizenship? ......................................................................................................... 63 Laïcité and the Pacs .................................................................................................................. 64 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................... 68 Appendix 1: Text of the Pacte Civil de Solidarité ......................................................................... 71 Glossary ......................................................................................................................................... 84 Bibliography .................................................................................................................................. 88 1 INTRODUCTION In the November 2008 United States general elections several states found themselves embroiled in ideological debates over civil unions and gay marriage. The issue was perhaps the most divisive in California where passionate advocates on both sides of the debate participated in almost violent protests and vicious slander. Several of the more outspoken gay rights groups targeted specific Churches or groups such as some Catholics, certain Evangelicals and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (a lesser-known faith, but one that provided outspoken support in favor of Proposition 8) for their stance against gay marriage and civil unions. In America, we are not surprised to see religious groups targeted for their beliefs in friendly (or even not-so-friendly) political banter. The separation of Church and State in U.S. Government leaves plenty of room to stand by religious convictions and openly admit that they influence political activity. While religions may