The controversy does not abate around the prestigious Stanislas college, where the three children of the Minister of National Education attend school.
The private establishment under contract in the 6th arrondissement, part of whose funding from the City of Paris was suspended this Wednesday, January 17, has been in the spotlight for several days.
At issue are the conclusions of an administrative investigation by the General Inspectorate of Education, Sport and Research (IGESR) made public by Mediapart and highlighting several “
abuses
”.
Among them, one which can be accused of illegality: the establishment would have made catechism classes compulsory for all of its students.
Accusation that the establishment firmly rejects.
Being interested in this debate first involves posing several definitions, starting with that of “
catechism
”.
In the strict sense, it covers the teaching of the texts of the Catholic Church, its doctrine and its morality.
It can also involve preparation for the various sacraments such as profession of faith or confirmation but also testimonies and external interventions.
Compulsory “Christian formation”
The Education Code indicates that private establishments under contract with the State do not have the right to make “
religious teaching
” compulsory for students.
“
They must absolutely have the choice between these courses and another subject
,” explains Antoine Fouret, lawyer specializing in education law.
But is the term “
religious teachings
” a perfect synonym for catechism?
It is necessary to look at a decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in 2007 targeting Norway to better understand the contours of the law.
“
A course that presents religion in an objective and neutral way, in the form of a course in the history of religions or general culture in the religious field, does not need to be optional.
Conversely, a course which directs students towards a particular religion and which seeks to indoctrinate cannot be imposed
,” explains Antoine Fouret.
“A weekly hour of compulsory catechesis, from kindergarten to preparatory classes, is included in the timetable, at the most favorable time slots”
Extract from the welcome booklet provided by Stanislas to the students' families
So what category do the courses taught at Stanislas belong to?
The IGESR report first mentions a document submitted to parents who enroll their children in the establishment.
The latter includes a “
Christian formation
” component which insists on the fact that “
attendance at the Christian formation course taught each week is obligatory
”.
The notion of “
Christian formation
” is finally developed in the welcome booklet for families.
It is notably written that “
a weekly hour of compulsory catechesis, from kindergarten to preparatory classes, is included in the timetable, at the most favorable time slots
”.
From kindergarten to middle school, students follow the program of these courses based on a personal booklet.
From high school onwards, lessons take on “
a less formal dimension around themes, conferences, testimonies of life experiences
”, continues the report.
An “abuse of language”
All of these elements lead the mission which established this report to warn of non-compliance with the law.
Accusation which the establishment defends itself.
Questioned on this subject by Le
Figaro
, Louis Manaranche, director of Stanislas's preparatory classes, insists on the distinction between several subjects.
“
Religious instruction courses are obligatory
” unlike those which allow “
preparing for your first communion or confirmation which are completely optional
”.
By “
religious instruction
”, the director of preparatory courses means teaching which “
presents the Christian faith
”.
“
It’s called prep theology.
It is an abuse of language to speak of catechism or catechesis
,” he adds.
In its defense, the establishment also explains that, until now, “
the inspection considered that this practice common to other establishments responded to the students' freedom of conscience
”.
But, noting that this could raise questions, Louis Manaranche insists: “
We can and will progress in our formulations
”.