Unknown perpetrators have destroyed a statue of Mary in the Saint-Aubin Basilica in Rennes. Attacks on religious symbols are a growing concern in the region.
On the morning of 13 January, parishioners discovered that the Basilica of Saint-Aubin in Rennes had been vandalised. As well as breaking down doors and overturning pews, the vandals smashed a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes.
According to a parishioner interviewed by the newspaper Ouest-France, "the statue was not a valuable work of art, but had immense spiritual value". The parish has already issued a statement saying that this gesture "is an attack on faith, peace and respect. We pray for the perpetrators of this act, but we also ask for measures to protect our churches".
Just a few weeks ago, in the same city of Rennes, it was announced that the Saint-Pierre Cathedral would be closed for a few hours in the afternoon because of "repeated acts of vandalism".