Ninety-one per cent of people in France support the French Government's plans to introduce a weekly class in "secular morals" into state schools, according to a recent poll.

The French Government is at increasing odds with aggressive religious lobbies – particularly the Catholic Church – which are determined to undermine the nation's constitutional secularism.

France's top court ruled on Tuesday that a Muslim woman who was sacked for wearing the Islamic headscarf at work was unfairly dismissed on the basis of her religion.

The French Government appears to be lining up for a full-scale confrontation with the Catholic Church, which is increasingly trying to interfere in political processes.

The new socialist Government in France is strictly observing the nation's secular etiquette in relation to its dealings with the Vatican.

French Interior Minister Manuel Valls has warned foreign Islamists who do not respect the country's secular traditions or who threaten security at home or abroad that they will be expelled.

The Catholic Church and other right-wing groups in France have given notice that they intend to resist the newly-elected President's progressive social agenda.

As the French election draws near, President Nicolas Sarkozy is suddenly very enthusiastic for religion to play an important role in "public life".