Churches are becoming prime targets for looters. In two years, church thefts have increased by 24%: 780 cases recorded in 2024
In two years, according to the Ministry of the Interior, reports La Croix , thefts in churches have increased by 24%, with 780 cases recorded in 2024. Chalices, statues, religious objects or collection money are now arousing covetousness, forcing some parishes to close their doors during the day.
On the occasion of the Assumption, on August 15, law enforcement closely monitored churches to prevent any risk of theft or break-ins. But outside of these major religious events, places of worship remain vulnerable. Father Antoine Devienne, parish priest of Notre-Dame d'Auteuil in Paris, explained to Europe 1 that he had already encountered several attempts: " There was an attempted theft of a crown given to the Virgin Mary a few years ago. It was removed because we didn't want to tempt bad intentions ."
Faced with this upsurge, some parishes are locking their churches during the day, a situation that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. Louis, 37, laments this change: " It's still unfortunate to see that today in France we are forced to close churches during the day when before, all the churches were open ," he explains to the radio station. {…]
Fdesouche
