French authorities are stepping up security measures across the nation’s Catholic and Protestant churches ahead of the Easter weekend in response to what Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin described as a “very high” level of terrorist threat.
The move comes in the wake of the devastating attack on a concert hall in Moscow, claimed by ISIS, which resulted in the loss of at least 143 lives, marking it as the deadliest attack in Russia in two decades.
In a memorandum issued to prefects, the top Paris-appointed local officials, Darmanin emphasized the need for heightened vigilance given the ongoing international tensions, including the conflict in Gaza and the recent Moscow attack. He directed law enforcement forces to be stationed in front of all Catholic and Protestant churches, particularly during Friday services and throughout the weekend.
Special attention is to be given to any suspicious vehicles parked near places of worship, as part of efforts to thwart potential attacks. The Interior Minister’s directive follows the foiling of two planned attacks in France since the beginning of the year. One of these plots involved a 62-year-old individual who had allegedly planned a “violent action against a Catholic religious building,” according to the national anti-terrorist prosecutor’s office. The suspect, who was reportedly committed to extremist ideology, was arrested and remains in custody.
As Christians prepare to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus this Easter Sunday, the heightened security measures underscore the continued threat posed by terrorism in France and the need for constant vigilance to ensure the safety of citizens and worshippers alike.
