FRANCE: Nearly 1,000 anti-Christian acts in 2023, according to the Ministry of the Interior
Grégoire Gindre
© Photo: Hans Lucas – Nathan Laine – Almost 1000 anti-Christian acts recorded in 2023, according to the Ministry of the Interior
RCF (26.03.2024) – L’Invité de la Matinale ‘Urgence attempts’ : “The government is not worried”, affirms Camille Chaize, the spokesperson of the ministry of the Interior.
A few days after the release of figures for racist, xenophobic, or anti-religious attacks in France in 2023, the Ministry of the Interior also claims to have recorded “a little less than 1,000 anti-Christian acts” last year. “90% of these are attacks against property such as cemeteries or churches,” said Camille Chaize, spokesperson for the Ministry of the Interior, guest of the RCF morning show.
A terrifying trend: religion is still a target in France. Since October 7 and the events in the Middle East, the Jewish community has been the victim of increasing anti-Semitic acts. In mid-January, CRIF the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France, deplored 1,676 acts recorded in 2023 on French soil. “A figure multiplied by four compared to 2022”, denounced the report. If the Jewish religion has sadly made the news in recent months, Christians have also been victims of anti-religious acts in 2023. Guest of the morning show on Tuesday March 26, the spokesperson for the Ministry of the Interior revealed the figures of anti-Christian acts in 2023 in France.
The churches and cemeteries mainly targeted
The Church of France appears to be a victim of societal violence. According to Camille Chaize, spokesperson for the Ministry of the Interior, “a little less than 1,000 anti-Christian acts” were recorded in 2023 by the statistical services of Place Beauvau. If the data is not definitive, it is being “refined”, because “the figures are the basis for constructing an answer”, assures Camille Chaize. “If we cannot measure a phenomenon, it is always complicated to fight against it,” she admits. Among the 1,000 anti-Christian acts recorded in 2023, “90% are attacks against property, such as cemeteries or churches,” adds the spokesperson for the Ministry of the Interior. The remaining 10% recorded are complaints and reports following attacks on people. “It can be an insult”, takes as an example Camille Chaize who specifies that “84 personal attacks were recorded” last year.
10,000 law enforcement officers mobilized for Holy Week
Faced with the situation of tension in which Christian communities are plunged, a Holy Week under high security is beginning for the Ministry of the Interior. Security is guaranteed “every year”, but “even more this year”, in particular “with the reinforced Vigipirate level”, admits the spokesperson. The maximum alert and the move to the “emergency attack” level, this weekend, actually allows more resources. “There will be 10,000 police officers, gendarmes, to carry out patrols near important moments, whether processions or masses”. “We are also asking the head of the police and gendarmerie to contact the managers of the different sites and churches to find out the different times and the number of people expected.” This makes it possible to “calibrate the systems according to the wishes of the different managers”, finally concludes Camille Chaize. Sentry devices will also patrol the street throughout Christian events, to protect the safety of the faithful during Holy Week processions.
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