Saint-Nicolas Church in Houilles Vandalized 3 Times in 7 days

Case information
Incident date
Country
France
Place
Houilles
Categories
  • Social Hostility / Intolerance
Attack Against
  • Faith
Perpetrator / Motive Indicators
  • Private
Hate Crime & Violent Incidents
  • Vandalism (all)
  • Vandalism of Church
Place of Incident
  • Church
Bias Indicators
  • Comments/Written Statements/Gestures/Graffiti
  • Significance of Property/Structure/Location to religious community
  • Time/Place/Location
  • Victim/Witness Perception
Reported to Police
  • Unknown
Response of Local Authorities
  • Unknown
Image credit: Paroisse de Houilles et Carrières-sur-Seine

On January 29th, a Christ figure carrying a cross was thrown to the ground in the choir of the church of Saint-Nicolas. A few days later, on February 1st, the arms from the figure were broken. On February 4th, a statue of the Virgin and Child was attacked and shattered on the ground.

The parish priest called the damage to the 19th century statue of the Virgin and Child "irreparable" because it was "completely pulverized."

A complaint was filed with the police and a source close to the investigation said it was possible the incidents were connected. The investigation continues.

Sources: Le Parisien and Actu.fr

Sources