July 01, 2024 | Paris, France | BIA-ANN
This Sunday, June 30, a disturbing event shook the religious community of Dijon. During an evangelical service bringing together about a hundred faithful in the premises of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, an act of malice took place, causing shock and indignation.
At around 11:00 a.m., while the celebration was in full swing, an unidentified individual entered the building and sprayed the assembly with tear gas. This unexpected attack caused panic and dismay among the participants, nine of whom were injured.
The affected church, affiliated with the Alliance of Christian and Missionary Churches of Dijon, benefited from the hospitality of the Adventist community, illustrating the inter-denominational solidarity that often exists between different Christian denominations.
Emergency services, including the fire brigade and SAMU, were quickly dispatched to the scene to treat the victims and secure the area. Local authorities immediately opened an investigation to identify the person or persons responsible for this reprehensible act.
This incident sparked a strong reaction from the National Council of Evangelicals of France (CNEF). The organization expressed its solidarity with the affected community, stressing the importance of freedom of worship and strongly condemning any form of violence directed against places of worship and worshipers.
This event raises important questions about the security of places of worship and the need to promote religious tolerance. It also reminds us of the importance of vigilance and the implementation of adequate security measures, even in contexts that should be characterized by peace and serenity.
The Adventist community of Dijon, as host of this gathering, is also affected by this incident. In the coming days, it will be crucial to follow the progress of the investigation and to support the victims of this attack.
The Adventist Church expresses its strong disapproval of any act of violence targeting religious buildings and, of course, the people who attend them. It assures its support and prayers to the victims of this heinous act and expresses its deep solidarity with the communities affected by the violence.
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