In 1861, canon Mallet, from Cambrai diocese, is put to trial under the accusation of abduction of Jewish children and their conversion without theit parents’ assent. On this matter, the public authority and the religious one have totally conflicting opinions. The first one stand for the freedom of conscience and the rights of the parents, while the other side claims that it works for the salvation of souls. With the occurrence of the Mortara case in Italy and the birth of the Alliance israélite universelle, the Jews of France become then aware that after Mallet was sentenced, they have gained freedom of religion.