What is the reality of
religious life in France today? Over the last 15 years, the number of people who live as monks and nuns
dropped dramatically. This is influenced by factors of age, where the old monks
and nuns were died, and almost there is no vocation to become a monk or a nun.
For example at 2000 there were 48.412 nuns; and at 2015 there were 21.982 nuns
in France. At 2000, there were 12.813 monks and at 2015 there were 6.031 monks.
At total the monks and nuns in France nowadays there are 31.131 persons.
In fact, there are several congregations
which should eventually be closed, and even dead. There are several new
congregations formed from several congregations whose members have been almost
non-existent. They diffuse into one new congregation.
The fact there is no vocation to become monks and nuns in
France, led to a new face of the church of French. There are many missionaries
from other countries: Madagascar, the countries of Africa, India, Vietnam, and
Indonesia. In fact, there are congregations who were born in other countries,
trying to work in France. France so become the zone of mission. Previously,
France is a country that sends missionaries to Asia and Africa, now the
pendulum moves from south to north, from Asia and Africa to Europe.
Despite of this reality, there is
no doubt that the nuns and monks in France remain in the vitality. The factor
of age is not a problem for them in France. The old religious who are old and
living in certain quarters testify to an extraordinary life. They are still
productive to testify evangelical values and religious life.
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