Earlier version, Tuesday 20 October
Conférence des évêques de France reacts to violence on October 17, 2026
Bishops
The presidency of the Conference of Bishops of France issued a statement on October 19, 2026, condemning the violence and riots that occurred across the country on October 17.
Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, president of the conference and archbishop of Marseille, joined vice-presidents Vincent Jordy, archbishop of Tours, and Benoît Bertrand, bishop of Pontoise, in expressing solidarity with those injured and the shopkeepers affected by vandalism. The bishops noted that the unrest, which occurred alongside authorized demonstrations, involved attacks on law enforcement, the looting of stores, the degradation of public equipment, and the destruction of state institution buildings.
The presidency described the riots as unacceptable and called on the faithful to pray for peace and dialogue. They urged citizens to avoid the cycle of violence and expressed hope that just demands would be heard so that peace could return through justice and conversation.
AI-assisted briefing based on the sources below.Diocese of Belfort–Montbéliard · Anne-Françoise de Beaudrap
Archdiocese of Bordeaux · jeanbredon
Diocese of Mende · AD Mende Communication
Diocese of Bayeux-Lisieux · abarbe
Diocese of Saint-Denis · Flavien Makanga
Diocese of Nîmes · Diocese De Nîmes
Diocese of Nantes · Isabelle Nagard
Diocese of Angers · myriam
Earlier version, Tuesday 20 October
Conférence des évêques de France reacts to violence on October 17, 2026
Earlier version, Tuesday 20 October
Bishops of France call for dialogue and peace
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