Catholic priest violently beaten in Auxerre
On 22 February, a Catholic priest was attacked by two people outside the church of Saint-Eusèbe. The assailants insulted the priest, knocked him to the ground and punched him several times in the face. The priest, who had bruising and oedema on his face, was taken to hospital in a state of shock. Police are searching for the suspects.
The attack took place at around 8.45am as the priest was opening the church. According to the priest, one of the assailants first insulted him and his religion before using physical violence.
The prosecutor of Auxerre, Hugues de Phily, has already commented on the incident: "The motives are unclear, probably motivated by hostility towards the Church. But we have no reason to believe that the motive was ethnic or religious. The victim is in a state of shock but was able to leave the hospital the same day".
Source: valeursactuelles.com, ouest-france.fr, fr.aleteia.org
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