The safety and security of religious communities in France were addressed in a training conducted by the Conference of European Churches (CEC) in Paris. Held as part of the Safer and Stronger Communities in Europe (SASCE) project, the event brought together French church leaders and staff members.
The training held on 16 May was significant, as France has experienced several terrorist attacks in the past years, including a number of churches that were directly affected.
During the meeting, CEC Executive Secretary for Human Rights, Dr Elizabeta Kitanovic, presented SASCE materials to the participants, including guides for community members, church leaders and staff members, as well as practical guides and videos produced for law enforcement.
The materials shared with the participants included a recommendation from SASCE to create a Crisis Management Team on every diocesan level in case of climate emergency, terrorist attacks, or any other emergency that could put the security of a religious community in danger.
Rev. Christian Krieger, president of CEC, attended the event, representing the Reformed Church in Alsace and Lorraine. “We are grateful to receive this important material in French. As this topic is very sensitive, the church leaders need time to study these necessary materials and to have further and deeper discussion about the awareness of security threats in France.”
Funded by the European Commission, the SASCE project is an outcome of a European interfaith partnership, representing Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities. CEC is working together with religious partners to assist in the protection of places of worship across Europe.