Religious Installations in French City Halls: A Christmas Crib Story

In two rulings on the 10 November 2016, the French administrative supreme court, the Conseil d’Etat, specified the conditions under which the temporary display of Nativity scenes by public authorities was lawful.

The Conseil d’Etat reiterated the implications of laïcité (secularism). Under this principle, public authorities were required :

+ to guarantee religious freedom, including the freedom of worshipping.
+ to insure that public officials and public agencies stay neutral in religious matters, especially by avoiding any recognition or funding of a given religion.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: The Council of State orders a decision banning clothes demonstrating an obvious religious affiliation to be suspended http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-council-of-state-orders-a-decision-banning-clothes-demonstrating-an-obvious-religious-affiliation-to-be-suspended/

BBC News, 04.12.14: French court bans Christmas nativity scene http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30326257

France24, 21.10.16: Top French court advised to allow nativity scenes in public buildings http://www.france24.com/en/20161021-top-french-court-advised-allow-nativity-scenes-public-buildings

Conseil d’Etat: Press Release, 10.11.16: Display of Nativity scenes by public authorities http://english.conseil-etat.fr/Activities/Press-releases/Display-of-Nativity-scenes-by-public-authorities

---