Catholic churches targeted during riots in France
Street fire during riots in France. Video screenshot/Tribune Chrétienne
On October 18, 2026, reports emerged of attacks on Catholic churches amid unrest in France. Churches in Marseille were broken into, while St. Louis Church in Grenoble was desecrated, Tribune Chrétienne reports.
The break-ins at churches in Marseille were reported by the city's archbishop, Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline. In a statement issued on October 18, he condemned the violence and expressed solidarity with those affected. The statement did not provide details about the damage to the churches.
St. Louis Church in Grenoble was also targeted. According to the publication, authorities have not officially established whether the incident was motivated by anti-Christian sentiment.
Fr. Joseph Fung, pastor of Holy Trinity Church in Marseille's La Plaine district, who witnessed looting during the unrest, condemned the thefts committed amid the demonstrations. Catholic Church representatives called for an end to the violence and urged the faithful to pray for the restoration of peace.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Muslims had expressed concern over the growing influence of Catholicism in France.
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