France’s minister condemns threats against Catholic procession

Gérald Darmanin lamented what he said were "unacceptable acts" during a torchlight procession in Nanterre on December 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Catholic News Agency reports.

"Freedom of worship must be able to be exercised in all serenity in our country," he wrote on his Twitter account on December 11, expressing "support for Catholics in France."

Actes inadmissibles.
La liberté de culte doit pouvoir s'exercer en toute sérénité dans notre pays.
Soutien aux catholiques de France. https://t.co/amavNdwBBm

— Gérald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) December 11, 2021

Koran

On the evening of Wednesday, December 8, around thirty members from the Fontenelles parish in Nanterre were attacked by a dozen people during a torchlight procession organised in honour of the Virgin Mary. All Catholics celebrate the parade on the Immaculate Conception feast – particularly in Les Fontenelles, whose parish church is dedicated to her.

During this heated altercation, insults and threats were made to the clergy and parishioners present. The organisers had to abandon the stations planned along the route to return more quickly to the arrival point of the procession, French newspaper Le Figaro writes.

"I will cut your throat on the Koran," one of the attackers is said to have shouted. At least, that is what claimed a catechumen of the parish who first published a summary account of the events on his social networks. He has since deleted his account because of many insults received. The man's version was confirmed to Le Figaro by Jean-Marc Sertillange, a permanent deacon serving the parish.

Investigation

Sertillange said he had reported these events to the prefecture and the police station, with whom he would discuss adapting the security arrangements for the parish processions in the future. He would file a complaint on Monday against the attackers.

On Sunday, the Nanterre public prosecutor's office told Le Figaro that it had "opened an investigation into the charges of death threats or crimes and offences against persons and violence in a group". "These offences are aggravated by the fact that the acts were committed because the victims belonged to the Catholic religion," said Caroline Gontran, deputy public prosecutor.