Placards and Protest in France

The French reformation in the 16th century was not a smooth sailing. There was strong tension and conflict between the Protestants and Catholics, and in the latter part of the century there were several wars between the two. In the 1530s, there was growing frustration as they saw their dream being fulfilled elsewhere in Germany and Switzerland. And yet in France they were lagging behind. In order to advance their cause, it was thought they needed to strike a bold blow to Rome and attack one of the most controversial topics, the Mass. A tract was written. Many believe that Faro wrote it in Switzerland, though others say that Antoine de Marcourt wrote it. The track was entitled True Articles on the Horrible, Great and Intolerable Abuses of the Popish Mass, Invented in direct opposition to the Holy Supper of our Lord and only Mediator and Savior. The leaders of the French movement met to discuss how to use it, and some felt it was too strong and direct and that to use it would cause more harm than good. Others thought that it was okay, and when it was taken to a vote, it was decided to use it. They were distributed all over France, to every city, town and even villages. And it was decided that on October 24, 1534, at night, they would be posted all over France.

However, instead of advancing the Reformation, this zealous and ultimately ill judged action brought ruin not only on those who had posted the placards, but on reform of Protestant faith throughout France. One of the placards was posted on the King's personal chamber, and in his rage he said, let all be siege without distinction who are suspected of heresy, and I will exterminate all. The leaders of the Roman Church had what they had longed for, a reason to wipe out the Protestants.

Some poor adherent of the Reformed faith was seized and commanded to show the papers all the homes of the believers in Paris. And under the threat of death, he cowardly went along and betrayed his people. They walked through the streets of Paris and grabbed people from their homes, imprisoning them before trying, torturing and killing them. Hundreds of people fled Paris, people from all ranks of life, university professors, princes, artisans. And the Catholic Church was surprised to find how many Protestants had been living in Paris, unknown to themselves.

The leading French reformers would have to leave, finding refuge in Geneva, Switzerland. And it was from there that they would send pastors back into France, so that in the space of 40 years, there were perhaps 2 million Huguenot Protestants and 1,250 churches throughout France. St Bartholomew's massacre would deal another blow to the Church in France, and again many people would leave France at this persecution and subsequent ones that would follow. Each time France would lose their skilled tradesmen and craftsmen suffering a brain drain that they have caused on themselves. The Swiss watchmaking industry was built largely by French Huguenot Protestants who fled there.

One thing that we learned from this episode of history is that it's as important that we know when to say something and how to say something as it is that we say the right thing. Simply speaking, the truth is not enough. The placards that were posted might have contained the truth about the mass and correctly pointed out the erroneous belief, but the way in which it was done was ill judged and caused more harm than good. May we be wise in how we share the truth of God's word sense, sensitive to what others believe, and always aim to be winsome in our methods and our words.