Second arson attack in 48 hours hits Paris church as Le Pen warns of rising anti-Christian violence

A fire broke out on Thursday afternoon at the Notre-Dame des Champs church in Paris, marking the second suspected arson incident at the site in just 48 hours. Authorities believe the blaze, which began around 4:50 p.m., was deliberately set.

According to police sources cited by Europe 1, one or more individuals entered the church, located on Boulevard du Montparnasse in the French capital’s 6th arrondissement, and vandalized a statue on a podium before setting nearby display panels on fire.

The suspects fled the scene before emergency services arrived.

Firefighters quickly brought the blaze under control, and no injuries were reported. Forensic experts were dispatched to carry out an investigation.

Reacting to the attack, Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally, issued a strongly worded statement accusing the French authorities of inaction in the face of what she described as a growing wave of violence against Christianity.

“These criminal acts are not isolated; they are part of a growing and increasing trend in violence targeting the Catholic religion,” Le Pen wrote on X.

“In 2023, nearly 1,000 anti-Christian acts were recorded in France. In 2024, the number of arson attacks and attempted arson attacks targeting churches increased by more than 30 percent. The laxity and indifference of public authorities must cease,” she added.

She further called for the perpetrators to be “punished with the utmost firmness” and offered her “full support to the faithful of Notre-Dame-des-Champs church.”

The church, which dates back to the late 19th century, has now been targeted twice in as many days, heightening concern over the vulnerability of religious buildings in the capital.

In May, a group of young men stormed the Montfavet church in Avignon, shouting “Allahu Akbar” and threatening to burn the church down — an act of intimidation that forced police to guard the building during Sunday morning Mass.

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