A new book, Huguenots et protestants francophones au Québec, Fragments d’histoire, published by Novalis, examines viewpoints from historians in Quebec and France and looks at the impression Francophone Protestants have made in Quebec. It was written under the direction of Marie-Claude Rocher, former professor at Université Laval, Marc Pelchat, Philippe Chareyre, and Didier Poton.
Traditional Quebec society has long been presented as a homogenous group that is strongly attached to its land, French language, and Roman Catholic religion. In this environment, the Francophone Protestant community has felt doubly marginalized: they are Protestants in a society dominated by the Catholic church; and they are a minority among their fellow Protestant parishoners who are Anglophone. This marginalization helps explain their long silence.
Despite their role in the early social and economic development of New France, historic signs of the presence of Huguenots and French Protestants are hard to find in modern-day Quebec. The Protestant religion grew out of Reformation and is characterized by simplicity. Historically, Protestants have placed much less importance on architecture and religious art than Catholics.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, Huguenots suffered religious persuction in France and about 500,000 fled, many to North America. Huguenots were French Protestants who were inspired by the writings of John Calvin.
The Musée de la civilisation de Québec, four French musems, and five private archival centres provided rarely seen documents and objects for the book. An example of their contribution is a mandate signed by Henri IV, promising to pay for Protestant instruction for Jacques Cartier’s nephew.
This book is available from the publisher and Renaud-Bray book store.
