Vaccination required to make a spiritual retreat in France

Catholics in France are discovering that there’s a fine line between practicing their religion and nurturing their spiritual life. 

At least in light of recent anti-Covid measures decided by the government.

For while believers are not required to show proof that they’ve been vaccinated or have tested negative for Covid to attend Mass, they must possess such a “green pass” if they want to make an overnight or week-long spiritual retreat at a monastery or religious community.

A decree published in the Official Journal of the French Republicon July 21 requires establishments receiving more than 50 people to check the green pass of their visitors.

Spiritual centers like the Taizé Ecumenical Community in Taizé are complying with the measure.

 "For people from the region who come to attend Mass, there is of course no need for a pass," explained a brother from the Taizé community, which is located in the Burgundy region of France. 

"But on arrival, we check the QR codes of those who stay on site. Only visitors with a full pass can receive a card for meals, participate in meetings and help with services," the brother said.

"People are very cooperative"

Many religious communities had already begun requiring overnight guests to provide a Covid PCR test long before the government measure.

"We have been asking for a negative PCR test since November 2020," said an employee of Cîteaux Abbey, located south of Dijon.

"And the green pass has been requested for two months already. This has helped protect the community and prevent the monks from getting sick," the employee said.

The same is true at the waterside Jesuit Spiritual Center of Penboc'h, located along the Gulf of Morbihan in western France.

"If we don't want to spread the virus, we must be tested or vaccinated so as not to endanger others," said a person at the reception desk.

For verification, nothing could be easier. 

"We all downloaded the TousAntiCovid Verif application," explained Sister Annick of the Sisters of Charity of Saint-Louis and director of the Rhuys Abbey retreat center, which is on the other side of the gulf.

"People are very cooperative; they don't wait to be asked for their pass when they arrive," the sister said.

The abbey, in the middle of nature on the Breton coast, has 80 rooms and hosts cultural events.

It is fully booked for this summer, especially because the green pass "reassures" visitors seeking rest and spiritual guidance. 

In contradiction with hospitality?

But not all religious facilities that welcome the public are thrilled with the measure. 

"The government is putting a condition on practicing a spiritual life," protested a leader of the Foyer de Charité de Baye, which is located in the Champagne Region about 120 kms east of Paris. 

"We are also told that screenings will become a paid service in October. This means that those who have not been vaccinated will have to pay for the right to a retreat," the person said. 

Since the Foyer’s capacity is less than 50 people, it can still welcome visitors until August 9 without asking for the pass. 

At Rhuys Abbey, this sine qua nonin order to live out one's faith raises questions. 

"It does in a way seem to contradict the Church’s tradition of hospitality," said Sister Annick.

But she said there is no question of trying to circumvent the law.

"We are a recognized establishment, so we are subject to controls. We don't want to risk an administrative closure for retreatants who, having tested negative or are vaccinated, trust us," she said.

Sometimes when visitors complain, Sister Annick takes the time to explain why access to the abbey requires a green pass. 

"Here, we deeply respect the choice of each person. But when faced with those who urge us to fight against this precaution, we put forward our reasons and they all understand that being Christian does not authorize us to break the law," she said.