Christmas Nativity Set on Fire on Eve of Epiphany Holiday

Country: France

Date of incident: January 6, 2017


Unknown perpetrators intentionally set fire to the straw at the base of the nativity scene in the Cathedral of Saint-Étienne, burning all of the figures. The Archbishop expressed the pain of the community, saying that the display expresses the heart of the Christian faith.

This was reported to be the latest in a series of incidents at the cathedral, including other fires, urination, and spray painted graffiti. The city's mayor condemned the act, saying that any act of desecration in a place of worship is unacceptable.

Source: La Croix