Torn Bible and Damaged Statuary Reported at Sens Cathedral

Case information
Incident date
Country
France
Place
Sens
Categories
  • Social Hostility / Intolerance
Attack Against
  • Faith
Perpetrator / Motive Indicators
  • Private
  • Satanist Symbols
Hate Crime & Violent Incidents
  • Desecration
  • Vandalism (all)
  • Vandalism of Church
Place of Incident
  • Church
Bias Indicators
  • Comments/Written Statements/Gestures/Graffiti
  • Pattern or Frequency of Attacks
  • Significance of Property/Structure/Location to religious community
Reported to Police
  • Unknown
Response of Local Authorities
  • Unknown
Torn Bible and Damaged Statuary Reported at Sens Cathedral

Sens Patrimoine reported repeated damage and intrusions at Saint-Étienne Cathedral in Sens, including a Bible found torn before the altar, damaged statuary and inscriptions described as “satanic”. The association requested stronger security measures.

In a report published on 5 October 2026, Sens Patrimoine described repeated incidents at Saint-Étienne Cathedral and appealed to public and Church authorities for improved protection.

The association reported damaged statuary, a Bible found torn before the altar and inscriptions it described as “profane and satanic”. It also described an intrusion during winter in which individuals entered the chancel, knocked over candles and sat on the archbishop’s chair.

The report did not provide precise dates for these incidents. Its requests included interior video surveillance, arrangements for opening the cathedral and improved protection of religious objects and relics.

Sources: Sens Patrimoine, Tribune Chrétienne, L’Observatoire de la Christianophobie

Image: Service communication ville de Sens