Church and State in the land of Grace Kelly

Cardinal Pietro Parolin recently became the Vatican’s very first Secretary of State to celebrate Mass in the Principality of Monaco, widely reputed to be one of the wealthiest and most expensive places in the world. 

The reason for his July 17-19 visit to the tiny city-state on the French Riviera near the Italian border was to mark the 40th anniversary of a special convention between the Holy See and Monaco, which is officially a Catholic country.  

Parolin said "the deep roots of the Christian faith in this land, as well as its attachment to the See of Peter" was at the heart the privileged bilateral relations between the two entities.

Monaco, of course, became the home of the late American film star Grace Kelly (d. 1982) after her 1956 marriage to the ruling monarch at the time, Prince Rainier III (d. 2005).

Some 38,000 people currently live in the tiny principality, second smallest only to Vatican City -- but just as Catholic.

Mgr. Guillaume Paris, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Monaco, told La Croix’s Jeanne Leblay that Cardinal Parolin’s visit highlighted the peaceful nature of Monaco’s relationship with the Holy See.

La Croix: Where does the 40-year-old convention fit in the history of Catholicism here?

Mgr. Guillaume Paris: Monaco is unique in that Catholicism is the State religion. 

However, although the Catholic faith has been official for a long time, the agreements between this small European state and the Holy See have fluctuated throughout history.

From 1887, the relationship was governed by the papal bull Quemadmodum, which erected the Principality of Monaco as a diocese. In 1981, a new text was added to the papal bull.

Previously, the prince had the right to present three names to the pope for the appointment of a new bishop.

After 1981, it was the pope who appointed the bishop, since the prince had renounced this right. In exchange, the diocese of Monaco became an archdiocese, an honorary title.

How would you describe Church-State relations in the principality today?

In a few words, I would say that the Church and the State have a healthy and just collaboration in Monaco.

This unfolds in respect to the autonomy of the temporal and spiritual spheres, but without forgetting that religion cannot think of itself as separate from society: on the contrary, it participates in it.

Given the confessional nature of the State, the latter can place itself at the service of the Church.

Thus, the State participates in the maintenance of the Church and its activity, by remunerating priests and financing parishes, for example.

Religious instruction in Monaco is also compulsory, both in the public education system and in the private system.

The Grimaldis [the ruling monarchy] also have an eloquent motto: "Deo Juvante", which means "with God's help".

This relationship between Church and State, resulting from centuries of history, is therefore both stable and peaceful.

During his visit, Cardinal Parolin celebrated Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate. In his homily he called for unity among the various social groups. How does this appeal resonate particularly in Monaco?

The homily was particularly relevant to the situation in Monaco.

Cardinal Parolin followed the liturgical readings of the day and defined the role of a good shepherd from the words of the prophet Jeremiah: for him, the good shepherd is one who unites.

Contrary to the caricature that gives the impression that everyone who lives in Monaco is very rich, the reality is different and more mixed.

At Mass, it is common for a billionaire and a person of little means to be seated next to each other. That's a wide gap!

But this situation takes place in harmony: it is quite natural for parishioners. This mix does not particularly need to be looked after because people who live here are really united.