The Religious Community

Louisbourg in the 18th century was at the same time a military stronghold, a bustling commercial seaport, and an important base for France's North Atlantic cod fishery. It was also a community deeply rooted in, and shaped by religion. A society in which the influence of the church could be seen reflected in almost every aspect of life.

In France religion and government went hand in hand in the 18th century. The state fully supported its national church (the Gallican Church) and received the same level of support in return. French bishops were named by the King, who provided their salaries, and were obligated to swear an oath of loyalty to the monarchy. Concerning matters of state, the only people who could hold public office were practicing Catholics. Before they were given a position, however, they first had to obtain a certificate from their curé stating that they were 25 years old and that their morals, way of life, and adherence to the Roman Catholic faith were acceptable. Furthermore, the only public ceremonies and celebrations permitted were those associated with Roman Catholicism.

With the inception of Louisbourg, as with any 18th-century French colony, establishing a religious foundation was of utmost importance. The Minister of Marine insisted that priests be included in the settlement party and church services begin as soon as possible. So important was religion in colonial society that, by order of the King, any vessel undertaking a long voyage with a crew of forty or more was required to carry a chaplain.

Important as religion was in French society, the church did not have quite the same impact in colonial Louisbourg as it did in France and Canada. Although proposed, a parish church was never constructed and services would be held in chapels like the Chapelle de Saint-Louis. The church had no clerical representation on Louisbourg's Conseil Supèrieur and received no compulsory tithe. Also, none of the bishops of the Quebec parish ever visited Île Royale and instead appointed individual priests on the island as their vicars-general.

Louisbourg's population was of mostly French ancestry and life in Louisbourg was largely shaped by the Roman Catholic faith. There were, however, a number of people of Protestant background, most notably the Swiss and German soldiers of the Karrer regiment.

Members of the different religious orders were responsible for providing not only spiritual guidance to the citizens, but for charity to the poor, education of the young, and health care for the sick and disabled. Charged with meeting these requirements were the Récollets de Bretagne, the Frères de la Charité, and the Soeurs de la Congrégation de Notre-Dame.