On December 25, Christmas Day, the normally tranquil atmosphere of the Saint-Charles Cathedral in Saint-Étienne was abruptly interrupted when an individual entered dressed in traditional attire. This caused significant alarm among the faithful gathered for the holiday mass.
According to reports, the incident occurred around 11 AM during the service, which had started about half an hour earlier. Witnesses described the man as wearing either a djellaba or qamis, complemented by a scarf, which stood out amid the festive attire of the congregation. The unusual sight prompted one concerned churchgoer to act quickly.
Feeling uneasy, the attendee discreetly exited the cathedral and alerted two municipal police officers stationed outside on motorcycles. Recognizing the potential seriousness of the situation, these officers immediately contacted the national police.
Within minutes, members of the Brigade Anti-Criminalité (BAC) arrived at the scene. They entered the church, quickly locating the individual who had raised concerns due to his distinctive clothing—a garment considered atypical for the Christian place of worship on such a significant day.
Yves Cellier, the director of the interd departmental police of the Loire, later explained, “This intrusion was susceptible to causing public disorder, which justified our intervention.” Fortunately, the man complied with police requests to leave the cathedral without resistance.
After apprehending him, the officers conducted standard checks to ascertain the man’s identity and intentions. Remarkably, Cellier confirmed, “I can confirm he was neither armed nor threatening, and his criminal record is clean.” This assessment eased tensions as it indicated no immediate danger to the congregation.
Following the incident, Cellier emphasized the effectiveness of the police response, stating, “What matters is all risks were ruled out very quickly, and there were no reports of violence or victims beyond the alarm caused among the community of faithful.” The mass was able to continue without any interruption, allowing the congregation to regroup and refocus on their festive celebration.
The swift actions of the local police not only restored order inside the cathedral but also highlighted the preventive security measures cities have undertaken during the holiday season. With heightened patrols and vigilance, especially at places of worship, authorities aim to create safe environments for people enjoying Christmas festivities.
It is important to note, as clarified by police officials, this incident was treated seriously but did not escalate beyond initial concerns. The man was released after determining he posed no threat, but police indicated he would be called back later for additional inquiries about his motives during the intrusion.
This occurrence serves as a reminder of the sensitivity surrounding public events during holidays, especially with established security protocols meant to safeguard citizens. Increased awareness and proactive measures are evident as law enforcement remains dedicated to ensuring public peace.
Saint-Étienne, like many other cities, continues to maintain heightened security during important religious observances. Authorities are determined to prevent any disruptive incidents, reinforcing the need for community cooperation and alertness during festive gatherings.
