Saint Joseph’s church of Clermont-Ferrand was partially destroyed by fire set to it on purpose. The fire started at 11:55 a.m. on Saturday, April 25th, and was mastered by the firemen only at 5 p.m. Philippe Kloeckner, the parish priest, explained that he had reported to the police a first attempt of fire against the church on Friday April 24th.
“This criminal act saddens me. The church isn’t a private propriety but a sacred place, a place of peace opened to all,” comments Father Philippe Kloeckner. The building has suffered major injuries: the woodwork has been destroyed, the altar piece is damaged and the church will have to be closed for several months in order to evacuate all the toxic smoke.
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