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Handout #216 |
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Revolutionary de-Christianization |
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One of the forms of the de-Christianization campaign in
1793-1795 A.D. was to ask priests to renounce their priesthood by sending
back their letters of priesthood.
Letter from Bevalet, former Episcopal Vicar at Strasbourg, to the President of the National Convention 25 Brumaire, the year 1793, second year of the one and indivisible French Republic Citizen President, I am sending you my letters of priesthood the sole title of honor that I am keeping is a civic certificate, earned by the zeal which I have not ceased to show, since the revolution, for the rights of humanity and the glory of the republic; it is a certificate to which I attach some value. First priest of the former province of Alsace to be decorated with the national cockade; first to take the oath; first to give away his silver buckles and to make his patriotic gift, creator of the Popular Society of Belfort, the first in Strasbourg to tear away the veil of hypocrisy with which superstition and fanaticism were covered in this city ... and lastly the first to be wherever the voice of my country called me and where there was need to avenge the calumnies of the malicious, fanatics and aristocrats, I would want to continue to be the first in taking the step which I take today...I completely lack any fortune; but I am also without care or ambition: the justice of the Convention keeps me at peace. However, if I may dare to ask it for anything, it is not to leave me idle, but to let me be of use to the Republic. Taken from Documents d'Histoire, 1776-1850, 1, 1944, 72. |
