On September 9, 2025, in Montreal and Quebec, the Christian community and several religious leaders launched a solemn appeal against a bill aimed at prohibiting prayer in public space. Carried by Mgr Christian Lépine, Archbishop of Montreal, an open letter was made public that day, denouncing an infringement of the fundamental rights and the cultural diversity of Quebec.
According to the official text, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Quebec Charter and the Canadian Charter protect freedom of thinking and religion, including cultural manifestations in the public place. The signatories recall that traditions anchored in collective life-Pardon du Pardon, Cêli-Dieu, Chemin de Croix-would be called into question by this ban. They emphasize that praying together contributes to interreligious dialogue and living together democratic.
Meetings were organized with the archbishop, accompanied by interviews in the media, to explain the practical consequences of this measure on the faithful and on social cohesion. The central message insists that “prohibiting prayer is prohibiting thought”, a quotation taken up in the religious and secular press.
The origin of the controversy dates back to the announcement of the bill in the fall of 2025 by the provincial government, part of a larger context of debates on secularism and neutrality of the state. Bishops and representatives of several confessions are now requiring consultation before any legislative vote, in order to reconcile compliance with convictions and general interest.
This mobilization aims to illustrate the importance of maintaining a public space open to all devotions, thus guaranteeing the right of each citizen to express their beliefs out of strictly private speakers.
References
Diocese of Montreal – Mgr Lépine opinion letter
Vatican News – concern by Mgr Lépine in the face of the prohibition project
