Die Kirchenpolitik der Besatzungsmacht Frankreich und die Situation der evangelischen Kirche in der französischen Zone

Only in february 1945, the French were adjudged an own zone. Therefore they had no own plannings as to church policy. When in July 1945, they established their military government in Baden-Baden, they began to reflect upon the organization and interests of their church policy. Like the other allies, the French had a special department in Baden-Baden, which was responsible for all questions concerning the churches. The chaplains had a special influence on church policy, first of all Marcel Sturm (l'aumônier général). The French treated the German churches with great respect exerting a policy of non-intervention. Only if French interests were at stake, they intervened. The essay tries to point out the church policy of the occupation power France by treating four special examples.