French dating site wants to bring practising Catholics together

A very traditional conception of love, put forward by modern means, is the idea of the dating site Navis Fidelis, which stands for faithfulship. Several French media write about it, including Valeurs actuelles, based on a report by Europe 1.

It all started with the feedback from some Catholics who were disappointed by their dating experience on dating sites. “These Catholics met internet users who indicated on their profile that they were religious. Then they discovered that there was a mismatch between what was displayed on the profile and the reality at the time of the meeting,” Etienne de Saint-Victor, co-founder of Navis Fidelis, told Europe 1.

The conditions of access at Navis Fidelis are therefore strict. Each user is required to be recommended by a cleric or a nun. The cleric will have to certify that the person in question adheres to a traditionalist vision.

The purpose of the site is also evident. If people get along, it is to lead to marriage.

Members are further expected to abide by one basic rule: the absence of sexual relations before marriage. Other requirements are being baptized and celibate, going to Mass every Sunday, confessing frequently and wanting to get married in church.

Another difference with a classic dating site is that it is not possible to get to know each other via screens. Navis Fidelis only allows users to propose meeting places to get to know each other in real life, according to well-defined religious values.

“What is required to register on the site is just the Gospel,” says Father Spriest, another founder of the dating site. “It’s not just those who say ‘Lord, Lord’ who will enter the kingdom of God, but those who put the word of God into practice.”

According to the latest post on Navis Fidelis’ Facebook profile, already 330 singles are registered and validated in the whole of France.