Civitas (movement)

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" 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]

"Institut Civitas" redirects here. For the unrelated North Carolina organization, see Civitas Institute.
Civitas
PredecessorCité catholique
Formation1999 (1999)
PurposeStarted as a Conservative Christian lobby group - changed its status in 2016 and is now a French political party
HeadquartersArgenteuil (Val-d'Oise), France
MethodsTeaching classes, conferences, protests
FieldsTraditionalist Catholic activism
Membership (2013)
c. 1000
President
Alain Escada
Main organ
Civitas — Revue catholique des questions politiques et sociales
Websitewww.civitas-institut.com

History

Civitas was formed in 1999. It, and ICHTUS, 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 governement.[1]

Aims

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)

— Étienne Fouillox, Réflexions d’historien sur la loi Taubira (2013)[23]

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

Activism

Opposition to theatrical performances

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]

Arrests and fines

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]

Opposition to same-sex marriage
Non à l'homofolie ("No to gay madness") demonstration, 18 November 2012

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]

Opposition to "gender theory"

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]

Controversies
Civitas at the 13 January demonstration at the Place Pinel

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]

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

— René Guitton, La France des intégristes extrémistes juifs, chrétiens, musulmans (2013)[50]

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]

Publications

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.

Further reading
  • Pinte, Étienne; Turck, Jacques; Duplessy, Jacque (2012). Extrême droite, pourquoi les chrétiens ne peuvent pas se taire [Extreme Right, why Christians Cannot Remain Silent] (in French). Éditions de l'Atelier. p. 10. ISBN 9782708241831.
  • Leclercq, Jacques (2012). De la droite décomplexée à la droite subversive. Dictionnaire 2010-2012 [From the right of expression to the right of subversion. Dictionary 2010-2012] (in French). Paris: L’Harmattan. pp. 176 et seq. ISBN 9782296485143.

References
  1. "Le gouvernement a acté la dissolution du mouvement catholique intégriste Civitas" [The government dissolves fundamentalist Catholic movement Civitas]. LeFigaro (in French). 4 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  2. "L'institut Civitas va porter plainte contre les Femen" [Institut Civitas to sue feminists]. Libération (in French). 20 November 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  3. "Manif pour tous, Civitas, Printemps français... la nébuleuse des anti-mariage gay" [Manifesto for all, Civitas, French Spring... organising against gay marriage]. L'Express (in French). 16 April 2013. Archived from the original on 15 December 2016. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  4. Bonnehorgne, Xavier (14 November 2011). "Civitas, le lobby catho qui flirte avec l'extrême droite" [Civitas, the Catholic lobby group which flirts with the extreme Right]. L'Obs with Rue99 (in French). Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  5. Pinte, Étienne; Turck, Jacques (2012). Extrême droite: Pourquoi les chrétiens ne peuvent pas se taire [Extreme Right: Why Christians Cannot Remain Silent] (in French). Éditions de l'Atelier. p. 10. ISBN 9782708241831. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  6. "Violences de l'extrême droite: les appels à la dissolution de Civitas se multiplient" [Violence by the Extreme Right: Calls to ban Civitas snowball]. Le Point (in French). 19 November 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  7. "Civitas, à l'extrême-droite de Dieu" [Civitas, at the Extreme Right hand of God]. Paris Match (in French). 22 November 2012. Archived from the original on 26 April 2013. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  8. Leclercq, Jacques (2012). De la droite décomplexée à la droite subversive. Dictionnaire 2010-2012 [From the right of assembly to the right of subversion. Dictionary 2010-2012] (in French). Paris: L'Harmattan. pp. 176 et seq. ISBN 9782296485143. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  9. Terrier, René (2012). Pourquoi je ne suis plus catholique [Why I am no longer Catholic] (in French). Brogny. p. 259. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  10. "L'aumônerie de CIVITAS assurée par les Capucins de Morgon". francejeunessecivitas.hautetfort.com (in French). Archived from the original on 2017-02-02. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
  11. "GPAHE report: Far-Right Hate and Extremist Groups in Australia". Global Project Against Hate and Extremism. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  12. Poulat, Émile (1981). Modernistica (in French). Nouvelles Éditions Latines. p. 55.
  13. Fouilloux, Étienne (1997). Les chrétiens français entre crise et libération: 1937-1947 [French Christians between Crisis and Liberation: 1937-1947] (in French). Seuil. p. 268.
  14. Cotillon, Jérôme (2003). Ce qu'il reste de Vichy [What remains of Vichy] (in French). Armand Colin. p. 238.
  15. Camus, Jean-Yves (1998). Les extrémismes en Europe: état des lieux en 1998 [Extremism in Europe: State of the nations in 1998] (in French). de l'Aube. p. 108.
  16. Stephen Roth Institute (2002). Antisemitism Worldwide, 2000. University of Nebraska Press. p. 92.
  17. Camus, Jean-Yves (1998). Les extrémismes en Europe : état des lieux en 1998. France: Editions de l'Aube. p. 108. ISBN 9782930088587.
  18. "Civitas en croisade" [Civitas on Crusade]. France Info (in French). 10 January 2013. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  19. "Portrait de Civitas, entre coups d'éclat et intégrisme en ligne" [Portrait of Civitas, between lightning strike and online integrism]. France Info (in French). 10 January 2013. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  20. Boni, Marc de (2016-06-28). "Les catholiques intégristes de Civitas forment un parti politique". Le Figaro (in French). ISSN 0182-5852. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
  21. "La Royauté sociale de Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ (Cardinal Pie) 03". christ-roi.net (in French). Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  22. "Qui sommes-nous" [Who we are]. civitas-institur.com (in French).
  23. Fouillox, Étienne (April–June 2013). "Réflexions d'historien sur la loi Taubira" [Reflections of a Historian on the Taubira Law]. Lumière et vie (in French) (298): 100.
  24. "À qui déplaît le "visage du fils de Dieu"?" [Who's afraid of the "Face of the Son of God"?]. Le Point (in French). 24 October 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  25. Héliot, Armelle; Galaud, Flore (26 October 2011). "220 arrestations en 7 jours suite à une pièce de théâtre" [220 arrests in 7 days after theatre performance]. Le Figaro (in French). Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  26. "Une manifestation "anti-christianophobie" aux multiples visages" [Multi-faceted "anti-christianophobe" demonstration]. La Croix (in French). 30 October 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  27. "32 catholiques intégristes condamnés pour avoir perturbé une pièce de théâtre" ["Paris: 32 Catholic integrists arrested for disturbing theatre performance]. Sud Ouest (in French). 21 June 2013. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  28. "Paris : 32 catholiques intégristes condamnés pour avoir perturbé une pièce de théâtre" ["Paris: 32 Catholic integrists arrested for disturbing theatre performance]. Le Parisien (in French). 21 June 2013. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  29. "Les catholiques intégristes préparent leurs armes contre le mariage des homos" [Catholic integrists prepare arms against gay marriage]. tetu.com (in French). 12 June 2012. Archived from the original on September 2, 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  30. "Mariage gay: les catholiques intégristes de Civitas sont descendus dans la rue" [Gay marriage: Catholic integrists take to the streets]. France Info (in French). 18 November 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  31. "Les organisateurs de la "Manif pour tous" refusent tout "amalgame" avec Civitas" [Organisers of "Manif pour tous" refuse any "amalgam" with Civitas]. La Croix (in French). AFP. 13 January 2013. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  32. "Mariage gay : pourquoi il fallait rester chez soi dimanche" [Gay marriage: Why you should stay at home on Sunday]. Marianne' (in French). 14 January 2013. Archived from the original on 22 October 2015. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  33. ""Manif pour tous"": intégristes et identitaires ont manifesté à part" ["Manifesto for all": integrists and identity protestors demonstrate separately]. bfmtv.com (in French). 13 January 2013. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  34. "Le point sur le cortège Civitas". Le Monde (in French). 13 January 2013. Retrieved 3 November 2015. 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.
  35. Salor, Audrey. "Civitas dans la rue : "'Nous, on n'aime pas les homos"" »]" ["Civitas in the street: "We do not like gays"]. Le Nouvel Observateur, 13 January 2013 (in French). Retrieved 3 November 2015. 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
  36. "Mariage contre le mariage gay : les intégristes de Civitas ont défilé à part" [A marriage against gay marriage: Civitas integrists march apart]. L'Express (in French). AFP. 13 January 2013. Retrieved 3 November 2015. 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".
  37. "Éducation sexuelle à l'école ': Civitas publie des photos détournées" [Sex education in school: Civitas publishes diverting photos]. bfmtv.com (in French). 19 February 2014. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  38. "Petit précis de recherche d'images à l'intention de Civitas" [Intentionally little accuracy in Civitas' image research]. Le Monde (in French). 19 February 2014. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  39. Girard, Quentin (18 February 2014). ""Tomboy": Civitas appelle à harceler Arte" ["Tomboy": Civitas calls for Arte to be pursued]. Libération (in French). Retrieved 3 September 2015.
  40. "Théorie du genre : Civitas s'attaque à Tomboy" [Theory of Gender: Civitas attacks "Tomboy"]. europe1.fr (in French). 19 February 2014. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  41. "La mairie de Paris porte plainte contre un groupe de fondamentalistes chrétiens" [Paris Mayor launches complaint against group of fundamentalist Christians]. Le Monde (in French). 22 October 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  42. "Mariage des homos: Civitas va porter plainte contre les militantes de Femen" [Gay marriage: Civitas will make complaint against FEMEN militants]. francetvinfo.fr (in French). 20 November 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  43. "En images : des féministes agressées lors d'un défilé anti-mariage gay" [In Pictures: Feminists attacked in anti-gay marriage demonstration]. France 24 (in French). 19 November 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2015. 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
  44. Salor, Audrey (10 January 2013). "Civitas, ces catholiques intégristes coutumiers des coups de poing" [Civitas, the catholic integrists, throw their customary punches]. Le Nouvel Observateur (in French). Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  45. "Civitas manifeste contre le "mariage pour tous", des militantes féministes agressées" [Civitas demonstrates against militant feminine aggressors]. Le Monde (in French). 18 November 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  46. "Mariage homo: les opposants mobilisent, l'exécutif reste ferm" [Gay marriage: Opposition mobilises, the executive holds firm]. Le Monde (in French). 19 November 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  47. "Des députés PS demandent la dissolution de l'organisation Civitas" [PS Deputies demand the break-up of Civitas]. Le Nouvel Observateur (in French). 19 November 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  48. Letteron, Roseline (21 November 2012). "Dissolution de l'Institut Civitas, sur quel fondement juridique?" [Break-up of Civitas, on what legal grounds?]. contrepoints.org (in French).
  49. Ackerman, Galia; Houtsol, Anna; Chevtchenko, Inna (2013). Femen. Calmann-Lévy. p. 259 page 259. ISBN 9782702152560.
  50. Guitton, René (2013). La France des intégristes extrémistes juifs, chrétiens, musulmans [The France of Jewish, Chrestian and Muslum integrist extremists] (in French). Flammarion. ISBN 9782081303928.
  51. "Manifestation de Civitas : Jacques Bompard accuse les féministes" [Civitas demonstration: Jacques Bompard accuses the feminists]. bmftv.com (in French). 19 November 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  52. "Que reproche Civitas aux militantes du Femen?". francetvinfo.fr (in French). 20 November 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  53. "Civitas porte plainte pour exhibition contre les Femen" [Civitas files complaint of exhibition]. Metrofrance (in French). 20 November 2012. Archived from the original on 28 March 2013. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  54. "Beaten in a tobacconist's, Caroline Fourest porte plainte". Le Nouvel Observateur (in French). AFP. 19 November 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
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