Country Demographics:

• Population:  60.4 million  
• Religions:   Roman Catholic 83%-88%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 5%-10%, Unaffiliated 4%
• Income Per Capita: $22,931 year/ $63.70 day
• Government Type:  Republic
  Chief of State:  President Jacques CHIRAC (since May 1995)
  Head of Government: Prime Minister Jean-Pierre RAFFARIN (since May 2002)

Legal Profession:

• Estimated number of lawyers in France is 43,000.  This number includes 36,000 attorneys and 7,000 judges.  8,000 notaries are also involved in the legal system.
• Estimated number of believers involved in the legal profession is approximately 8,000.
• The name of the local Christian group is Advocates France, a group of 13 headed by Mr. Bernard Biro.

Major Activities of Christian Lawyers:

Christian lawyers in France are involved with the following activities:

• Organizing an innkeeper network involving all Christian ministries.
• Keeping vigil and pursuing research concerning ethics and moral values in judicial activities.
• Planning publicity and meetings concerning the judicial realm and the university realm.
• Preparation for lobbying and diplomatic actions.

Convocation Goals:

• Delegates from France are looking forward to experiencing the intervention of the Holy Spirit that happens at Advocates International meetings.  They hope to become better workers in the harvest field by knowing each other better and providing support.  Advocates France lawyers will use the Convocation as an opportunity to assess and confront their own practice as advocates.

Prayer Items:

• That God will work through each individual and make Advocates International a useful tool for Him.

Contact Information:

• Bernard Biro bernard.biro@wanadoo.fr

ªFrance In Actionª

Bernard Biro has been working for five years to knit together a small group of lawyers seeking to follow Christ in a thoroughly secularized society.  The enthusiasm of Bernard and his two main co-workers – Nicolas Duval and Samuel Bonte – their diligence and trust in God are a source of encouragement to many.  In the beginning of February 2003 they made the decision to establish Advocates France and develop its activity – not only in Paris, but all over France.