Cultural Office of Cluny
Encyclopedia
The Cultural Office of Cluny, often named OCC (renamed Cultural Office of Cluny - National Federation of Total Animation [OCC - FNAG] in 1978) is an Catholic
-related association registered as a voluntary association
, created in France by Olivier Fenoy in 1963. It is a group of cultural animation composed of a theater company whose activities include arts, cultural travels, photographs, among other things. Although primarily located in France, the OCC has several centers in Québec and Chili. The group was widely referred to as a cult in the media, particularly after the publication of the first parliamentary report in which it was mentioned.
, Fenoy created and the OCC and devolepped it alongside Grégoire Molle. The name comes from a café in the Quartier Latin, "Le Petit Cluny", where the founders organized their first meetings, and therefore has no connection with the Abbey of Cluny. In 1973, "the community of Cluny" or "missionaries of hope" was created by hundreds of people who wanted to permanently live this lifestyle. The charter accompanying the association's statutes requires to members celibacy and chastity. Postulants, novices and engaged must give their goods to the community. The first artistic creation of the group was "Un Caprice" by Alfred de Musset
. Students centers were quickly created. The OCC has acutellement about ten centers throughout France (Palis
, Entrevaux
, Château de Machy, Center Le Brûlaire, etc...). It publishes a quarterly magazine named Le Courrier: Nouvelles de Cluny.
In 1972, the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports
granted to the OCC a provisional approval as organization of popular education. This approval was withdrawn in 1982, then reinstated by the State Council in 1990.
in the 1995 and 1999 parliamentary reports and considered as a "pseudo-Catholic" and a "medium-sized cult" in terms of wealth (its annual budget reached between 5 and 20 million francs at the time). The commission accused the OCC to infiltrate the world of childhood by the formula of courses and seminars in the field of leisure but also academic support and cultural development. Anti-cult association ADFI criticized the OCC for its methods of seduction, its particular lifestyle (reduced sleep, long prayers, inability to be alone, etc), possible families breakdowns, its hierarchical structure, psychological pressures and despoilment. Former members claimed to have been "seduced by promises of social advancement" in the group, then to have been "totally ruined after their stay at the centers in Claux and Le Machy". The OCC rules were described as "binding and totalitarian".
For their part, Bishop of Troyes Gérard Daucourt, as well as Bishops Montagrin, Pontier and Jean Vernette
, criticized the classification of cult attributed to the OCC and wrote a protest letter to Philippe Séguin
, arguing that this caused some harm to the OCC as well as to the Catholic Church. For André-Hubert Mesnard, the classification made by the Parliamentary Commission was not democratic because the list could not be changed after its publication and thus the groups incriminated, including the OCC, could not defend themselves against criticisms. CESNUR
stated that the group was "nearly bankrupted due to the refusal of public theatres to air its shows", after its cult designation.
. On these occasions, Fenoy's brother, former followers, parents' members, and a priest
from Lyon provided negative testimonies about the association.
Later, on 4 June 1998, the court of Angers, then on 4 November 1999, the Court of Appeal of Angers dismissed the OCC which said that its leaders were lay monks and therefore not under the social security
regulations, and tried to challenge the tax recovery imposed by URSSAF. In a lawsuit filed by a former member in Grenoble, it was revealed that Fenoy had homosexual intercourses and that he "kept members in a high material and spiritual dependency". In 1988, the OCC filed a complaint for defamation against the President of the association "L'Alouette" for issuing a leaflet warning against cults in which the OCC was cited, but was dismissed.
The General Councils
of several French départements, including Rhône and Aube, and the Grenoble city hall gave important subsidies, which raised much criticism.
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
-related association registered as a voluntary association
Voluntary association
A voluntary association or union is a group of individuals who enter into an agreement as volunteers to form a body to accomplish a purpose.Strictly speaking, in many jurisdictions no formalities are necessary to start an association...
, created in France by Olivier Fenoy in 1963. It is a group of cultural animation composed of a theater company whose activities include arts, cultural travels, photographs, among other things. Although primarily located in France, the OCC has several centers in Québec and Chili. The group was widely referred to as a cult in the media, particularly after the publication of the first parliamentary report in which it was mentioned.
History and organization
Strongly influenced by a text of Pius XII sent to artists in 1952, then by Marthe RobinMarthe Robin
Marthe Robin was a French Roman Catholic mystic and reported stigmatist. She became bedridden when she was 21 years old, and remained so until her death. According to EWTN she reportedly ate nothing for many years except receiving Holy Eucharist.In 1928, she entered the Franciscan Third order...
, Fenoy created and the OCC and devolepped it alongside Grégoire Molle. The name comes from a café in the Quartier Latin, "Le Petit Cluny", where the founders organized their first meetings, and therefore has no connection with the Abbey of Cluny. In 1973, "the community of Cluny" or "missionaries of hope" was created by hundreds of people who wanted to permanently live this lifestyle. The charter accompanying the association's statutes requires to members celibacy and chastity. Postulants, novices and engaged must give their goods to the community. The first artistic creation of the group was "Un Caprice" by Alfred de Musset
Alfred de Musset
Alfred Louis Charles de Musset-Pathay was a French dramatist, poet, and novelist.Along with his poetry, he is known for writing La Confession d'un enfant du siècle from 1836.-Biography:Musset was born on 11 December 1810 in Paris...
. Students centers were quickly created. The OCC has acutellement about ten centers throughout France (Palis
Palis
Palis is a commune in the Aube department in north-central France.-Population:...
, Entrevaux
Entrevaux
Entrevaux is a commune in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France.-Geography:Set on both sides of the narrow road between Annot and Puget-Théniers that runs alongside the gorge of the river Var, the mediaeval walled town lies in the shadow of a mountaintop...
, Château de Machy, Center Le Brûlaire, etc...). It publishes a quarterly magazine named Le Courrier: Nouvelles de Cluny.
In 1972, the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports
Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports (France)
The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports is, in the Government of France, the cabinet member in charge of national and public sport associations, youth affairs, public sports centers and national stadia...
granted to the OCC a provisional approval as organization of popular education. This approval was withdrawn in 1982, then reinstated by the State Council in 1990.
Reception
The OCC was listed as a cultCult
The word cult in current popular usage usually refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre. The word originally denoted a system of ritual practices...
in the 1995 and 1999 parliamentary reports and considered as a "pseudo-Catholic" and a "medium-sized cult" in terms of wealth (its annual budget reached between 5 and 20 million francs at the time). The commission accused the OCC to infiltrate the world of childhood by the formula of courses and seminars in the field of leisure but also academic support and cultural development. Anti-cult association ADFI criticized the OCC for its methods of seduction, its particular lifestyle (reduced sleep, long prayers, inability to be alone, etc), possible families breakdowns, its hierarchical structure, psychological pressures and despoilment. Former members claimed to have been "seduced by promises of social advancement" in the group, then to have been "totally ruined after their stay at the centers in Claux and Le Machy". The OCC rules were described as "binding and totalitarian".
For their part, Bishop of Troyes Gérard Daucourt, as well as Bishops Montagrin, Pontier and Jean Vernette
Jean Vernette
Jean Vernette , was a French priest of the diocese of Montauban. In 1973, he was appointed national secretary of the French episcopate for the study of cults and new religious movements. He published several books on cults and new therapies...
, criticized the classification of cult attributed to the OCC and wrote a protest letter to Philippe Séguin
Philippe Séguin
Philippe Séguin was a French political figure who was President of the National Assembly from 1993 to 1997 and President of the Cour des Comptes of France from 2004 to 2010....
, arguing that this caused some harm to the OCC as well as to the Catholic Church. For André-Hubert Mesnard, the classification made by the Parliamentary Commission was not democratic because the list could not be changed after its publication and thus the groups incriminated, including the OCC, could not defend themselves against criticisms. CESNUR
CESNUR
CESNUR , is an organization based in Turin, Italy. It was established in 1988 by a group of religious scholars from universities in Europe and the Americas, working in the field of new religious movements. Its director is the Italian sociologist and attorney Massimo Introvigne...
stated that the group was "nearly bankrupted due to the refusal of public theatres to air its shows", after its cult designation.
Judicial cases
The OCC launched numerous lawsuits or was sued in many cases throughout its history. The first ones were in 1980: the OCC was sued on material issues in Digne and Aix-en-ProvenceAix-en-Provence
Aix , or Aix-en-Provence to distinguish it from other cities built over hot springs, is a city-commune in southern France, some north of Marseille. It is in the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, in the département of Bouches-du-Rhône, of which it is a subprefecture. The population of Aix is...
. On these occasions, Fenoy's brother, former followers, parents' members, and a priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
from Lyon provided negative testimonies about the association.
Later, on 4 June 1998, the court of Angers, then on 4 November 1999, the Court of Appeal of Angers dismissed the OCC which said that its leaders were lay monks and therefore not under the social security
Social security
Social security is primarily a social insurance program providing social protection or protection against socially recognized conditions, including poverty, old age, disability, unemployment and others. Social security may refer to:...
regulations, and tried to challenge the tax recovery imposed by URSSAF. In a lawsuit filed by a former member in Grenoble, it was revealed that Fenoy had homosexual intercourses and that he "kept members in a high material and spiritual dependency". In 1988, the OCC filed a complaint for defamation against the President of the association "L'Alouette" for issuing a leaflet warning against cults in which the OCC was cited, but was dismissed.
The General Councils
General councils (France)
The General councils are assemblies of the French departments. They are elected by universal suffrage.-List of the Presidents of the General councils:-External links:*...
of several French départements, including Rhône and Aube, and the Grenoble city hall gave important subsidies, which raised much criticism.