France's Major Protestant Organizations Establish Formal Dialogue Forum

Leaders from the Protestant Federation of France (FPF) and the National Council of Evangelicals in France (CNEF) have agreed to establish a standing forum for cooperation. The decision follows a two-day meeting held in early September at the Domaine du Lazaret in Sète. In a joint statement, both organizations officially recognized one another as authentic expressions of French Protestantism, aiming to move past historical misunderstandings and theological differences.

The new forum will focus on shared concerns, including the defense of fundamental freedoms, the coordination of chaplaincy services, and the representation of Protestant interests to political authorities. While the two bodies will maintain their distinct identities and missions, they intend to consult on public affairs and collaborative actions. The FPF, established in 1905, represents historic Reformed and Lutheran churches, while the CNEF, founded in 2010, serves as an umbrella for a majority of France's evangelical congregations. This initiative marks a significant step toward formalizing relations between the two groups, which together represent a small but active portion of the French population.