A statue of Christ decapitated, a destroyed sculpture of Mary and other saints, broken crucifixes and a cross on which Jesus was hanging, and a plundered altar – this is what the clergy of the church of St. Madeleine in Angers in western France. The city’s mayor, Jean-Marc Verchère, said he condemned the “shameful act” and that the city would make every effort to find the perpetrators.
They vandalized a church in France. Broken crosses and Jesus without a head
The events must have taken place around noon, after the morning mass celebrated that day by Father Magloire Tossou. The diocese of Angers reported in an interview with the service that the tabernacle and consecrated hosts were not affected in the act of vandalism.
Nobody saw anything. The scale of the damage suggests that there were two or three perpetrators. You can’t do this alone, Father Tossou points out.
The priest emphasizes that he cannot believe what has happened. Like the parishioners, he is shocked because he has never experienced such a “ruthless attack on the symbols of his faith.” The events were particularly painful for the faithful, as the devastation took place during Easter. Bishop Emmanuel Delmas also spoke on the matter, who in an official statement emphasized his regret over the fate of the temple. He announced that acts of vandalism “concern not only stones and objects, but also the Christian faith”, which was intended to offend.
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin declared on Twitter that the behavior of the perpetrators was unacceptable and expressed support for Catholics. The vandalism was also condemned by Culture Minister Rima Abdul Malak. According to the findings of the police and the prosecutor’s office, nothing was missing from the church premises. Hence the clear conclusion that the devastation of the church was a mere act of profanation. The damage was estimated at several hundred thousand euros.
Source: Gazeta
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