France: Arson Attacks on Churches Up 30%

[Stone]

France: Arson Attacks on Churches Up 30%

gloria.tv | February 6, 2025

French police have recorded a "decrease" in the number of anti-Christian attacks last year.

Although they were "down 10%", there were still 770 incidents in 2024, more than two for every day of the year.

For the second year in a row, churches were particularly targeted, write the French media.

Nearly 50 (!) arsons or attempted arsons of Christian places of worship were recorded in 2024.

In 2023 there were 38, an increase of more than 30%. The arson attacks on churches in New Caledonia during the riots were particularly striking.

In mainland France, two fires particularly affected the church last year.

On 2 September, the church of Saint-Omer burned, its roof and steeple completely destroyed by the flames.

On 3 October, the church of Saint-Hilaire-le-Grand in Poitiers suffered two simultaneous fires and damage, with three statues broken and decapitated.

Thefts from churches are also on the rise, with 288 incidents recorded in 2024 compared to 270 the previous year, an increase of 7%.

On average, there are five thefts from churches every week.

Several masses were disrupted last year, especially at Christmas. In Bordeaux, two drunk people interrupted a Christmas mass.

In Saint-Germain-en-Laye, a Muslim shouted 'Alla Akbar' during the service before climbing on the altar and exposing his buttocks to the congregation.

Last year, an attack by a Muslim was foiled thanks to police action. On 5 March 2024, they arrested a 62-year-old man, a member of ISIS, which is officially supported by the West in Syria, who was planning to attack a church.