Metz municipal funding for papal visit challenged by secular association

Metz Pope Leo XIV secularism municipal funding Moselle

The Union des familles laïques (Ufal) of Moselle has called upon the prefect to review the legality of a decision by the city of Metz to allocate 500,000 euros for the upcoming visit of Pope Leo XIV on September 28.

The association, led by president Matthieu Gatipon-Bachette, does not oppose the papal visit itself but challenges the use of public funds for related expenses. Specifically, the group has questioned the legality of renting giant screens to broadcast the mass, arguing that the event will already be covered by media outlets.

The 500,000 euro budget is divided equally between 250,000 euros for investments and 250,000 euros for operations. Mayor François Grosdidier defended the expenditure, describing the visit as a “world event” and an “immense honor” for the city.

Because Moselle is a concordatary department, local authorities are permitted to fund religious services, as the region is not governed by the 1905 law on the separation of Church and State in France.

Entities

François Grosdidier · Metz · Moselle · Pope Leo XIV · Union des familles laïques

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Ufal president Matthieu Gatipon-Bachette criticized the rental of giant screens to broadcast the mass. www.estrepublicain.fr · fr.news.yahoo.com · www.ledauphine.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The Moselle department is concordatary, meaning it is not subject to the 1905 law on the separation of Church and State. www.estrepublicain.fr · fr.news.yahoo.com · www.ledauphine.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The 500,000 euro budget is split into 250,000 euros for investment and 250,000 euros for operations. www.estrepublicain.fr · fr.news.yahoo.com · www.ledauphine.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Mayor François Grosdidier expects the 250,000 euro operating budget to be fully spent. www.estrepublicain.fr · fr.news.yahoo.com · www.ledauphine.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The city of Metz allocated 500,000 euros to the Pope's visit on September 28. www.estrepublicain.fr · fr.news.yahoo.com · www.ledauphine.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The Union des familles laïques (Ufal) of Moselle has requested the prefect to exercise legality control over the city of Metz's decision. www.estrepublicain.fr · fr.news.yahoo.com · www.ledauphine.com

Sources

Pape à Metz : une association laïque critique le financement municipal [www.infochretienne.com]

28 days ago

Moselle. 500 000 euros : une association laïque critique le financement municipal pour la venue du pape à Metz [www.estrepublicain.fr]

29 days ago

Visite du pape à Metz: une association laïque critique le financement municipal à hauteur de 500. 000 euros [fr.news.yahoo.com]

29 days ago

Moselle. 500 000 euros : une association laïque critique le financement municipal pour la venue du pape à Metz [www.ledauphine.com]

29 days ago