PARIS — France is once again grappling with mounting concerns over religious violence following a disturbing attack on a Catholic church in Paris. Islamist extremists reportedly assaulted Father Laurent Millan at the Notre-Dame de Bonrepos church on May 10, in what authorities are calling a targeted act of religious hatred. Though the incident occurred nearly a week ago, details have only recently emerged, sparking fresh debate over France’s ability to safeguard religious institutions.
According to eyewitness accounts, a group of approximately 15 young men approached Father Millan after Saturday Mass under the guise of exploring conversion to Christianity. The encounter quickly turned sinister when the group began shouting blasphemous slurs before violently assaulting the priest while yelling “Allahu Akbar.” The attackers reportedly looted several items from the church, including Father Millan’s cassock, a parish checkbook, and a religious painting.
“They mocked our faith, they mocked our God, and they promised to return and set the church ablaze,” Father Millan recounted. “Only the courage and restraint shown by our parishioners prevented something far worse.”
Just three days prior, on May 7, another group of youths vandalized the same church during a community meeting, smashing windows and stealing candles and a computer. The dual incidents have shaken the local congregation and drawn condemnation from French religious leaders.
“This parish sits in a neighborhood long plagued by social unrest,” said Archbishop François Fonlupt. “But the patience, unity, and bravery of the faithful in the face of provocation and violence must be commended.”
The French Ministry of the Interior has confirmed that counter-terrorism investigators are now involved in the case. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin released a statement promising increased security around religious sites and vowing to prosecute those responsible. “Attacks on any faith community are attacks on the Republic itself,” he said.
These back-to-back attacks have reignited public discourse about religious intolerance in France, a nation already contending with a surge in anti-Christian, anti-Semitic, and Islamophobic incidents throughout 2025. A recent report by the French Observatory of Secularism noted a 38% increase in attacks on Christian places of worship in the first five months of the year compared to the same period in 2024.
Calls are growing for the French government to implement stronger protective measures for churches and religious institutions, particularly in high-risk neighborhoods. In response, the Paris Police Prefecture announced plans to boost patrols near vulnerable religious sites and deploy undercover officers during services.
As investigations continue, Notre-Dame de Bonrepos remains closed to the public while repairs and security evaluations are underway. For many in the parish, however, the damage goes far beyond broken windows and stolen property.
“This was not just an attack on a church,” said one parishioner. “It was an attack on the right to believe, to worship, and to live in peace.”