The rise of new left-wing Christians in France

In recent years, a new generation of young left-wing Christians has emerged in France, challenging the notion that Christian leftists were disappearing in the face of right-wing Catholics, writes Pascale Tournier in the Catholic weekly La Vie (September 26). This group, primarily consisting of individuals aged 25–40, is beginning to organize and assert itself in the public sphere, combining its faith with progressive political views. These new left-wing Christians are characterized by their open embrace of their faith while engaging in social and political activism. “Few are heirs of the left-wing Christians of the 1960s–1970s,” notes Yann Raison du Cleuziou, a political science professor at the University of Bordeaux. “Some of them even come from very ‘classic’ right-wing Catholic backgrounds. In some cases, their left-leaning orientation results less from an attraction to left-wing parties than from a rejection of their Catholic environment turning to the right.” But they are not willing to leave the monopoly of Catholic identity to right-wing Catholics. The encyclical Laudato Si’ by Pope Francis has been a significant catalyst for many in this movement, pushing them towards left-wing politics through the lens of ecological concerns. This has led them to a reconsideration of various social and political issues, often putting them at odds with their families of origin.

Source: Gzero, https://www.gzeromedia.com/news/watching/french-left-wing-coalition-tops-election-results

Beside environmental activism, key aspects of the movement include support for social justice, feminism and LGBTQ+ rights (including feminist theology and LGBTQ+ inclusion in the church), decolonial thinking, and intersectionality (connecting various liberation struggles with the “revolutionary power of the Gospel”). While they are gaining traction, their radical approach can sometimes alienate more moderate Christians. There is also a debate about how to engage with traditional political parties and institutions. These young Christians are not primarily focused on reforming the church from within and do not feel attracted to party politics. Instead, they aim to bring a Christian perspective to secular society and social movements. Many are pursuing theological studies to strengthen their discourse. The article concludes by noting that while these individuals are left-wing Christians, they consider themselves Christians first and foremost. This movement represents a significant shift in the landscape of French Christianity, challenging both traditional right-wing Catholicism and secular left-wing politics.