The Vatican, the French bishops and anti-gay-marriage

The 26 bishops from southern France who were recently in Rome for their traditional “ad limina visit” had waited quite some time to make the once-every-five-years trip to the threshold of the apostles Peter and Paul.

In fact, the group last made the “ad limina” back in 2012. That was before many of these men had yet been ordained bishops. So, the five-day visit last week was something new for them. 

But even the veterans made comparisons with their previous experience.

"The very first time I came, I remember that the French were looked down upon a bit, but there was a change in 2013," said one of them.

What happened in 2013?

"That’s the date of La Manif Pour Tous,” said one, referring to the French organization that began that year -- with the Catholic hierarchy’s informal support -- to rally opposition to gay marriage and adoption. 

“Suddenly, we were seen as a Church capable of exercising a form of resistance, of making our voice heard, of weighing in on society," this bishop said.

In reality, and beyond the anecdote, the image of the Church of France seems to have well and truly changed in Rome.

The ability of French Catholics to take part in social debates and to continue to be "creative" despite strong secularization, arouses benevolent curiosity in the Vatican.

Similarly, the French bishops' establishment of an independent commission on sexual abuse, which is to makes its report in early October, is seen as a positive sign.

"We have the impression that they are happy to see us. Many of them have read the reports we sent them," said another bishop, who noted there was a climate of listening and sharing during their meetings with Roman Curia officials.

"The days of being scolded or rapped over the knuckles seem to be over," said one of the Church leaders.

A clear sign of this interest could be gauged by their lengthy meeting on September 10 with Pope Francis.

It was exceptional! The audience lasted more than two hours.