French Catholic Church condemns 'unacceptable violence' after weekend unrest

By Seyma Erkul Dayanc

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Catholic Church in France condemned the “unacceptable violence” accompanying last weekend’s demonstrations across the country, expressing solidarity with those injured and businesses hit by looting while calling for dialogue and a return to peace.

In a statement published Monday, the presidency of the French Bishops’ Conference said police officers had been attacked and injured, shops looted, public facilities damaged, and buildings representing state institutions vandalized.

“These scenes of riots plunged the country into shock, fear and despair, raising numerous questions about the root causes of this crisis,” the statement said.

The bishops urged people not to be drawn into what they described as a “spiral of deadly violence,” saying the country deserves better.

“With all believers, we pray that these disturbances will cease, that legitimate demands will be heard and taken into account, and that, through dialogue and respect for justice, peace may return,” they said.

- 'Clashes, hatred, destruction and looting' are a 'dead end'

Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, the archbishop of Marseille and president of the bishops’ conference, also called for an end to violence and the restoration of peace, Vatican News reported Monday.

In a statement posted on the Archdiocese of Marseille’s website, Aveline said shops had been looted, churches broken into, the town hall vandalized, a police station ransacked and security forces attacked.

He expressed solidarity with those injured and shopkeepers affected by the vandalism.

Lyon Archbishop Olivier de Germay also condemned the violence, saying the events went beyond the scope of demonstrations in which legitimate grievances could be expressed.

He described the scenes in Lyon as involving “unacceptable clashes, hatred, destruction and looting.”

“It is a dead end and can only lead to further injustice and division,” de Germay said.

The Diocese of Lyon said the prefecture had requested the postponement of a peace march organized with Muslim, Jewish, and Christian communities due to the violence surrounding the demonstrations.

Around 550,000 people participated in 110 demonstrations across France on Oct. 17, including 110,000 in Paris, while there were about 400 arrests nationwide, said Interior Minister Laurent Nunez.

Şeyma Erkul Dayanç