Concordat of 1801

The Concordat of 15 July 1801 a state church treaty between France and the Holy See. Napoleon thus ending the spiritual- secular struggle with the Catholic Church in his spirit.

In this contract, the Napoleon as a representative of the First Republic and Cardinal Consalvi as a representative of Pope Pius VII signed, the Pope recognized the French Republic, the civil status of the Catholic Church and arranged by Napoleon dismissal of all bishops.

Napoleon had sought to Rome a scheme to counteract the suppression of Catholicism as a result of the revolution. These led him to a the calculus itself as First Consul of the Republic formally still in existence, for termination of the revolution by the coup of 1799 now express also in the ecclesiastical field.

Pius VII, who are compelled to 1804 Imperial Coronation of Napoleon and the dispute with the Emperor in captivity (1806 - 1814) should be advised of the situation assessed in terms of realpolitik, which is why he showed himself willing to negotiate. In 1801 it came to the signing of the Concordat in Paris. In the preamble to the Catholic religion was referred to as the " the great majority of French citizens," without, however, as in the past was of a " state religion " is mentioned. The Concordat namely recognized the plurality of religious beliefs, freedom of worship and the Republic of exercise as such.

Another result of the Concordat was that the authority of Napoleon was strengthened. It also created an order of church life to the radical separation of church and state in 1905 and served as a model for other churches and countries. In Alsace and the Moselle it is still valid today, as these areas in 1905 did not belong to France and the new law did not take over.

The " Organic Articles " from April 8, 1802 (18 of germinal X) followed the Concordat as an exemplary law. Its not agreed with the Curia on 77 products secured again state prerogative, so the need for government approval of papal decrees. In addition, this groundbreaking regulations for the Catholic and Protestant church organization were laid down.