Bishop Matthieu Rougé condemns destructive protest violence

Bishop Matthieu Rougé of the Diocese of Nanterre condemned the destructive violence occurring during student-led protests across France. Speaking to Vatican News, Rougé stated that acts such as setting fire to high schools cannot be condoned and reflect an inner violence among young people who have not found meaning in their lives.

The protests began in late September due to student frustrations regarding school funding, resources, and education quality. By early October, the demonstrations escalated into arson, looting, and confrontations with police, resulting in hundreds of injuries, millions of dollars in damage, and more than 5,000 arrests.

Rougé, who leads the Council for Catholic Education for the French bishops' conference, attributed the unrest to the distress caused by economic, social, climate, family, and geopolitical crises. He noted that many young people feel afraid of the future and may lack the maturity to express their concerns without violence. He urged responsible adults to guide young people toward peaceful dialogue to address their struggles.