Christian persecution has reportedly increased significantly in France over the past year.
Breitbart cites a report by the French Observatoire de la Christianophobie which tracks attacks against Christians in France. According to this report, Christian persecution is up in the country by 38 percent. In 2015, there were 273 attacks against Christians, but in 2016, that number rose to 376.
The most well-known of these attacks was the attack on Fr. Jacques Hamel who was killed by Muslim extremists who slit his throat while he celebrated Mass at his parish in the small French town of Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray.
Before he was killed, the elderly priest reportedly told his assailants to “Be gone, Satan!”
In a funeral service for Hamel, with members of the Muslim community present, Archbishop Dominique Lebrun said, “You who are tormented by diabolical violence, you who are drawn to kill by a demonic, murderous madness, pray to God to free you from the devil’s grip. We pray for you, we pray to Jesus who healed all those who were under the power of evil.”
Islamic violence is reportedly increasing in France and is contributing to the persecution of Christians.
In addition to its Christian population, France’s Jewish community has also been suffering increased violence. Many Jews are choosing to leave the country. In 2015 alone, nearly 8,000 Jews left France.
Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com
Publication date: January 19, 2017
