It was to be freely and publicly practised in France, subject to the police regulations that the Government judged necessary for the public tranquillity.

In return for these great advantages, many concessions were expected from the Church.

The present bishops, both orthodox and constitutional, were, at the Pope's invitation, to resign their sees; or, failing that, new appointments were to be made, as if the sees were vacant.
The last proviso was necessary; for of the eighty-one surviving bishops affected by this decision as many as thirteen orthodox and two "constitutionals" offered persistent but unavailing protests against the action of the Pope and First Consul.
A new division of archbishoprics and bishoprics was now made, which gave in all sixty sees to France.

The First Consul enjoyed the right of nomination to them, whereupon the Pope bestowed canonical investiture.

The archbishops and bishops were all to take an oath of fidelity to the constitution.