Church in Chambray-lès-Tours targeted again two weeks after profanation
Saint-Symphorien Church in Chambray-lès-Tours was burgled during the night of 7 to 8 August 2026, approximately two weeks after the church fell victim to desecration. The perpetrators stole numerous liturgical objects, including candlesticks, vases, holy-water fonts, crucifixes and chalices. This incident, along with other recent attacks, has prompted a response from local authorities who raised questions about the security of rural places of worship in the region.
During the night of 7 to 8 August 2026, unknown perpetrators broke into Saint-Symphorien Church in Chambray-lès-Tours, targeting the sacristy and stealing an array of liturgical objects. According to reports, all valuable objects kept in the sacristy may have been stolen, among which were candlesticks, vases, holy-water fonts, crucifixes, and chalices. The complete list of missing objects and the precise financial loss had not yet been established at the time of reporting.
A spokesperson from the municipality of Chambray-lès-Tours expressed the feelings of the community, stating: "It's sickening to do this; we're left helpless."
The burglary occurred approximately two weeks after the church had been subjected to a separate act of profanation along with other incidents in the Indre-et-Loire area (OIDAC, reported). The most recent in a series of attacks against Christian places of worship in the area, local authorities and religious leaders are questioning the security of these places of worship and asking what measures ought to be taken to prevent attacks on heritage and religious sites.
UPDATE: According to a report from 10 August, a large number of liturgical objects were found at a scrap metal company in Tours, which notably correspond to the items stolen from Chambray-lès-Tours on the night of 8 August. A complaint was filed by the company.
Sources: ici.fr, policeetrealites
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