Evangelical communities in Granada express disapproval towards the assault on a Catholic church
In a shocking incident, a 21-year-old Moroccan man from Albunol, Spain, allegedly attacked the Church of the Apostle James in El Pozuelo, a hamlet in Albunol, Granada, on Sunday, 17 August.
According to the Evangelical Council of Andalusia (CEAA), the attack was a blatant violation of the fundamental right to practice one's faith freely and with dignity. The CEAA strongly condemns the attack, expressing repulsion for the actions taken.
The man is reported to have smashed several religious images with a hammer and set fire to several items inside the church. He also damaged the altar, pews, and even broke a stained-glass window. The man then locked himself inside the church, causing panic among the parishioners.
Fortunately, firefighters arrived quickly and managed to extinguish the flames. The alleged attacker was arrested shortly afterwards.
The CEAA urges the authorities to clarify the facts and guarantee the safety of all places of worship in Andalusia. They also extend solidarity to the parishioners, the parish priest, and all affected by the attack.
The attack not only hurts a specific community but also threatens the fabric of respect and plurality valued in the region, as stated by the CEAA. They reject any form of aggression that threatens coexistence, mutual respect, and peace between communities.
The CEAA hopes for the restoration of the church for the benefit of the Roman Catholic community in Albunol and to ensure justice prevails. Some media outlets suggest that the man may have mental health issues, but no official confirmation has been made on this matter.
The CEAA encourages redoubling efforts in favor of interreligious dialogue, tolerance, and freedom of worship. They hope that this tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of these values in maintaining peaceful coexistence among different communities.
