The parish priest of Saint-Laurent Church in Paris has publicly defended his decision to allow a sound installation as part of the city’s Nuit Blanche festival on June 6-7, 2026, despite widespread accusations of profanation and the interruption of perpetual Eucharistic adoration. The move has intensified criticism from Catholics who see it as another example of sacred spaces being instrumentalised for secular and ideologically charged events.

Fr Paul Dollié, parish priest of Saint-Laurent, issued a statement to Tribune Chrétienne on June 11 in which he insisted the installation Sous la peau du ciel (“Under the Skin of the Sky”) by artist Marie-Luce Nadal “respected the place” and contained “no elements contrary to the faith”. He added: “I saw that this work was respectful of the place, that there were no blasphemous remarks among the recorded messages.”

Fr Dollié claimed the project offered an opportunity to reach “a different audience” and help people “begin a journey towards questioning the meaning of their lives and the Truth of the Gospel”.

The church, which maintains perpetual Eucharistic adoration, reportedly suspended it during the installation and its preparatory phase. Fr Dollié later clarified that the Blessed Sacrament was not exposed during the public event itself.

The installation involved loudspeakers placed throughout the building, including near altars, chapels, the baptistery and confessionals. Visitors recorded personal wishes by telephone that were mixed into an evolving ambient soundtrack. Among the messages broadcast were statements such as “I would like to drive at 100 kilometres per hour” and “I want a smart watch with all the instruction manuals”.

The decision has provoked significant further backlash. Several priests, Religious and lay faithful contacted Tribune Chrétienne to express opposition, with one priest, who requested anonymity, describing the event as deeply troubling. Fr Christophe Buirette of the Diocese of Blois, a former Fidei Donum missionary, publicly criticised Fr Dollié, stating: “This fellow priest, pastor of Saint-Laurent, is a disgrace.” Other clergy questioned why such authorisation was granted and noted the absence of any detailed public response from the Archdiocese of Paris.

The Nuit Blanche festival, for which LGBT activist and DJ Barbara Butch served as artistic director, featured installations in multiple historic Parisian churches. Saint-Laurent’s participation follows ongoing controversy surrounding Butch’s role in the 2024 Olympic opening ceremony, which was widely criticised by Catholics as a mockery of the Last Supper. The broader festival included another installation at the chapel of Tenon Hospital featuring voodoo-inspired masks and objects.

Catholics attached to the Church’s traditional understanding of sacred spaces have expressed dismay that a consecrated church with perpetual adoration was opened for an event many described as occult-tinged and incompatible with the dignity of the liturgy.

Fr Dollié maintained that the intention was pastoral rather than financial, stating that he received no payment for opening the church.

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