“Secularism is a framework that allows for emancipation and freedom”: the strong words of the Grand Master of the Grand Orient of France on the occasion of his New Year's wishes in Nîmes.

Nicolas Penin, Grand Master of the Grand Orient of France, during his vows in Nîmes. Midi Libre – E. Be

The representative of the first obedience of France came to speak about secularism on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of the law of 1905. With the intention of mobilizing public opinion so that its first two articles are included in the Constitution.

You have been Grand Master of the Grand Orient of France since August 2024. How do the Freemasons, an association that has existed since 1773, still have a place in today's society? ?

I have been surprised, since I have been a Grand Master, by the capacity of influence of the Grand Orient of France. When it writes, we respond, when it asks, we receive. And even when we do not ask for anything, we are solicited. Why ? Because I think that, when you are a democratic organization that is so old, that has 54,000 members, with women and men of good will and enlightened, with 1,400 local associations, that represents something. We are lookouts, we have a body. We know who we are and where we are going. For example, we have launched a program called the Republic of Mayors. With a republican banquet, on April 22 in Paris, which will bring together mayors and representatives of the association of mayors of France. Without forgetting what each can do at their level on a daily basis. Not for a program that we would have highly elaborated in order to control humanity! But precisely by the values ​​and principles that we carry.

As is the Masonic obedience in France?

The Grand Orient de France has momentum and has regained its pre-Covid numbers. The number of spontaneous applications also proves that we are talking to young people. We also have a youth center within the obedience, which is important for renewing the workforce. The Grand Orient de France is today the main obedience in France and the first liberal and adogmatic obedience in the world. And for that, we must remain vigilant: it is not enough just to have a card where it says Freemason to have the legitimacy and credibility of the Grand Orient de France.

It remains an association steeped in traditions in the face of the modernity of society, where, for example, opening up to women has taken time.

Tradition is indeed something important in masonry. We use tools, like the mallet. And it is often said that we put the mallet between tradition and modernity. As Tocqueville said, “It is when the past no longer illuminates the future that we walk towards darkness.” However, it is because we are aware of the values ​​and principles of relationships with others, of listening, of inalienable principles such as liberty, equality, fraternity and secularism that we think are in resonance with today’s world.

You came to Nîmes for a conference on secularism. A word that is very often used. How would you define it?

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Secularism is an integral part of the Grand Orient de France. We have always worked in this area, with a permanent national commission. This year in particular, we are taking advantage – and I take responsibility for it – of the 120th anniversary of this 1905 law to, for one year, celebrate secularism and the 1905 law on the separation of Church and State so as not to make people believe that it is coercive or needs to be changed. This law, secularism, is a framework that allows for emancipation and freedom. It is a security that allows you to believe or not to believe and to ensure freedom of conscience.

This framework alone would suffice?

Secularism is a constitutional principle and a body of values. A constitutional principle because it is in the constitution and the Republic is secular, which has consequences on the neutrality of state servants for example. And a body of values, because there can be no secularism without the republican triptych, Human Rights and without inalienable rights.

What do you think, in this sense, of the desire of Minister Bruno Retailleau to prohibit veiled people from accompanying children on school trips for example?

This could be acceptable, because when you accompany a school trip, we can assume the fact that you are an auxiliary of the public service, with the principles of neutrality that go with it. On the other hand, what we must be aware of, because otherwise it is pure hypocrisy, is that for some schools, this will mean that the State will have to put neutral staff at the service of these establishments to ensure the trips. Which it will not do. We will have to assume the consequences.

You denounced racism a lot during your wishes. However, this kind of proposal that targets a part of the identified population often leads to reprehensible comments.

Absolutely. And this is where we need to be clear: if you come to provide educational support with a crucifix worn conspicuously on your clothing, will you also be punished? ? When Bruno Retailleau talks about a ban, for us, this applies to all religions and any proselytizing display of a religious symbol. This can only apply to one religion and one category of French people.

You are putting forward a strong proposal this year: the constitutionalization of Article 1 and Article 2 of the 1905 law (*). Why specifically these two articles ?

During the conference, I made the analogy with the right to abortion, explaining that in the world we live in, we must be well aware that rights that would be inalienable are never so for life. Even in European democracies, rights to abortion have been called into question, for example. Constitutionalization means moving towards securing principles. The separation of Church and State is a principle that you hammer home. The State at home, the Church at home. It is a primary principle. When you backtrack on this and enter into a mode of small accommodations, in the end, it is the very republican principle of what we are that is attacked.

(*) The first two articles of the 1905 law concerning the separation of Church and State are as follows. Article 1. “The Republic ensures freedom of conscience. It guarantees the free exercise of religions subject only to the restrictions set out below in the interest of public order.” Article 2: “The Republic does not recognize, pay salaries to or subsidize any religion. Consequently, from 1 January following the promulgation of this law, all expenditure relating to the exercise of religions will be eliminated from the budgets of the State, departments and municipalities. However, expenditure relating to chaplaincy services and intended to ensure the free exercise of religions in public establishments such as high schools, colleges, schools, hospices, asylums and prisons may be included in said budgets. Public religious establishments are abolished, subject to the provisions set out in Article 3.”