By the time Napoleon Bonaparte overthrew the Directory government headed by Barras to become the leader of France, the French Catholic church had undergone severe annihilation. The ‘dechristianisation’ campaign had wiped out all elements of worship including shutting down of churches and removal of religious symbols such as church bells and crosses. Napoleon knew how influential the Catholic Church was, having noted that it had the highest number of adherents. After assuming power, he ordered the re-opening of the non-alienated churches and even granted amnesty to the priests that had been deported.

In 1801, under Napoleon’s leadership, France and Rome signed a document called Concordant that outlined the church’s relationship with the state. Even though the document recognized Catholicism as the religion of the vast majority in France, it gave the state authority over the church. It is therefore important to note that whereas Napoleon took steps to restore the church, he did not intend to restore it fully. He was more interested in using the church’s influence to consolidate his rule in France.