On a stage surrounded by speakers, a choir sings the Catholic hit song “ How can we not praise you, -er, -er! “, taken up by a small enthusiastic crowd. This is followed by songs from the communities of Taizé and Chemin neuf. You could think you were in Frat or Paray-le-Monial; we are at Place Vauban, in the 7th arrondissement in Paris, in front of the golden dome of the Invalides church, and the participants have come to express their opposition, in the name of their faith, to the far right.
At the initiative of this day of June 23, 2024, three movements of young Christians anchored on the left: Anastasis, a collective of reflection and political action founded in 2022; Lutte et Contemplation, both a prayer and mobilization group launched the same year; the Dorothy, named after an associative and solidarity café established for seven years in the 20th arrondissement in Paris. On the evening of the European elections and the announcement of the dissolution, they find themselves in a Parisian bar and wonder what to do.
From their discussion was born the Justice and Hope collective which quickly brought together other Christian organizations and a column entitled “In the name of our faith, we will vote against the extreme right” published in The cross on June 18, 2024. It has been signed to date by more than 10,000 people. Without giving voting instructions, she affirms her opposition to the extreme right and its ideas, relying on the Gospel, and calls for voting against the National Rally (RN).
