“Free Thought is not against the Saint-Roch Festival in Montpellier but wants to protect secularism and the 1905 law”

Alban Desoutter, secrétaire départemental de la Libre Pensée. Archive Midi Libre – JEAN MICHEL MART

Alban Desoutter, secrétaire départementale de l’organisation qui défend la laïcité explique son positionnement par rapport à la tenue de la célébration de saint Roch à Montpellier.

Why was the Free Thought Association offended by the organization of the Saint-Roch Festival in Montpellier ?

It should be noted that the Free Thought Association is an old association that has always defended secularism. It is also at the origin of the 1905 law on the separation of Church and State. We are very attentive to attacks on secularism. This is why the financing and co-organization of the Saint-Roch Festival by the Montpellier city hall is not possible given the separation between Church and State.

That is to say ?

Secularism means that the State – Regions, Departments, municipalities – and its representatives must neither attack nor promote religions. We are not asking for an atheist state, we are asking for state authorities to remain neutral.

So when the Montpellier city hall grants a subsidy of 14,000 euros to finance a religious festival, we have to react.

But precisely the religious side of the Saint-Roch Festival is organized and financed by the Church and the folkloric events are carried out, quite distinctly, by the Saint-Roch International Association of Montpellier. And the city hall subsidizes the work of this association…

Even though we are presented with two very distinct aspects in the organization of these festivals, they are linked. It is a saint – recognized only by the Catholic Church – who is celebrated. The folklore surrounding the procession is part of the religious festival. The flag-waving people walk in front of the procession, but it is the same procession. It is at the same time.

So you don't want these festivals to exist anymore ?

Quite the contrary. We are not against these celebrations, especially since it is surely a lot of work and commitment on the part of the association that organizes it. We are only asking that no public money be allocated to this occasion, which is the very principle of the 1905 law. Or else there would have to be two very distinct celebrations with two different dates, at a pinch.

However, for Christmas and Easter, the City does finance decorations or egg hunts?

It is not the same thing. Santa Claus is not recognized by a religion, Christmas has become a family celebration that is celebrated by non-believers. Just like Easter. Saint-Roch, on the other hand, celebrates a religious saint.

Why specifically attack the last two municipalities (under Philippe Saurel and under Michaël Delafosse) about this celebration when the organization of these celebrations has been subsidized since 1995 ?

There is nothing political in this fight. Only defend when there is an attack on secularism. Free Thought was re-established in Hérault in 2015. That is why there was no action on our part before.

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