From pew to pitch, Cameroonian priest builds bridges in French banlieue

In Trappes, one of France's most culturally diverse working-class suburbs – known as banlieues – faith leaders are finding unexpected ways to bring communities together. A Cameroonian-born priest not only fills his church each Sunday, he also hosts interfaith football matches.

Despite a fall in the number of people entering the priesthood in France, a recent study of church life in multicultural working-class suburbs pointed to a spiritual renewal in some areas, which often face higher-than-average poverty and unemployment.

"These working-class neighbourhoods have churches that are packed every Sunday," said Father Patrick Gaudin of the Missionary Brotherhood of the Cités (FMC), which carried out the study based on interviews with 30 priests.

"Even the weekday masses draw big crowds. There's a real sense of witness," Gaudin told KTO Catholic TV.

"And when we send these young people out on mission into much more conventional neighbourhoods, they set the place alight, quite frankly. These working-class neighbourhoods are where the missionaries of tomorrow are coming from."

About one-third of France's roughly 12,000 priests and clergy members – down from 65,000 in 1960 – come from abroad.

Growing congregations

One of them is Father Jacques Noah Bykov, from Cameroon.

Appointed to Saint-Georges parish in Trappes two years ago, his warmth and booming laugh have made him a popular figure among worshippers.

"What I really like about him is that he doesn't wait for people to come to him," said one parishioner after Sunday mass in May. "He comes to us without being asked. That's wonderful."

Trappes, about 30km west of Paris, is home to people from many nationalities, cultures and faiths. The congregation reflects that diversity.

Members of the town's Portuguese community enthusiastically lead parts of the service.

Wearing a Roman collar under his pullover, Father Jacques said his ministry is shaped by his Franco-Cameroonian heritage.

"You saw it during the mass," he said. "There's a more lively dimension, even a dancing one at times. We express with our bodies the joy of being gathered together by the Lord. For me, that clearly comes from my dual culture."

The parish serves a population drawn from around 50 nationalities.

"When we gather on a Sunday, there is inevitably a particular flavour," said deacon Alain Uras.

"The liturgy, the readings and even the homily are not received in exactly the same way by everyone. Each person hears them through their own culture, their own history and their own experience."

Beyond the church

For clergy in Trappes, ministry extends well beyond the church walls. Promoting interfaith dialogue is considered an essential part of the job and one of the most effective tools turns out to be a football.

On a rain-soaked pitch, the parish team faces players from the town's Grand Mosque in a friendly match. Dressed in blue shorts and shirts, with a cross on the back, Father Jacques takes to the field alongside his parishioners.

Among the spectators is Chahinez, who has brought orange slices for half-time. She smiles at the sight of priests and religious leaders in football kit.

"They're not untouchable," she said. "They're human beings like us. Seeing them like this makes us want to spend more time with them and have more opportunities to talk and share."

Trappes has a large Muslim population and, like many working-class suburbs, faces social tensions. But for Ilyes, who is playing for the mosque team, the match sends a different message.

"When people hear the name Trappes, they think of Muslims first," he said. "This match shows that we all live together. It's a way of demonstrating that, despite all our differences, Trappes is still a town built on fraternity."

The town faces challenges. Like many working-class districts, it's suffered the knock-on effects of drug trafficking.

Father Jacques said part of his mission is to support young people who may be vulnerable to such influences.

"We're in contact with young people who could be affected," he said.

"Education is crucial. Often these are children left to their own devices, not because their parents don't care, but because they're working or looking for work. That's where we focus our efforts. It allows us, at our level, to provide an alternative and counter what is happening around them."

Mission and hardship

In its report, the Missionary Brotherhood of the Cités said clergy working in these suburbs often face difficult conditions.

"These communities are facing very real hardship – material hardship, social hardship," Gaudin said. "And priests are right in the thick of it. They have very difficult ministries and sometimes it takes its toll."

"But there's also an enormous amount of joy, and a deep joy at being priests on mission in these neighbourhoods."

This article was based on a report in French by Laurence Theault and has been edited for clarity.