Concordat of 1801

The Concordat of 1801 was an agreement between Napoleon Bonaparte’s government and the Catholic Church in France. It restored some stability to church-state relations after the French Revolution, which had greatly reduced church influence. The Concordat recognized Catholicism as the main religion but maintained government control over church appointments and finances. It allowed the church to operate openly, while also ensuring state oversight. This agreement helped ease tensions, re-established church presence, and aligned religious and political interests, shaping France’s religious landscape for years to come.