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| French clergymen ARRESTED over Covid lockdown-breaking mass that saw hundreds of churchgoers flout ‘rule of 6’ | French clergymen ARRESTED over Covid lockdown-breaking mass that saw hundreds of churchgoers flout ‘rule of 6’ |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| A parish priest and another clergyman have been arrested in Paris after breaking not just bread, but also France’s Covid-19 rules, by holding Easter mass for up to 280 worshipers, many of whom were not wearing face masks. | A parish priest and another clergyman have been arrested in Paris after breaking not just bread, but also France’s Covid-19 rules, by holding Easter mass for up to 280 worshipers, many of whom were not wearing face masks. |
| The pair were detained on Thursday over the service at the Saint-Eugene-Sainte-Cecile church in Paris on April 3, and an investigation into the incident has been launched, according to French broadcaster BFM TV. Prosecutors confirmed the arrests to local media. | The pair were detained on Thursday over the service at the Saint-Eugene-Sainte-Cecile church in Paris on April 3, and an investigation into the incident has been launched, according to French broadcaster BFM TV. Prosecutors confirmed the arrests to local media. |
| The clergymen’s alleged Covid-related breaches include “deliberately endangering the life of others,” “not wearing a mask,” and holding a “gathering of more than six people.” | The clergymen’s alleged Covid-related breaches include “deliberately endangering the life of others,” “not wearing a mask,” and holding a “gathering of more than six people.” |
| Video footage of the church proceedings shared online by French daily Le Parisien showed the congregation packed tightly together and dozens of people coming forward to receive communion. | Video footage of the church proceedings shared online by French daily Le Parisien showed the congregation packed tightly together and dozens of people coming forward to receive communion. |
| A spokesperson for the diocese confirmed that 280 people had been present in the 600-capacity building, and that an internal investigation led by the archbishop has been launched. | A spokesperson for the diocese confirmed that 280 people had been present in the 600-capacity building, and that an internal investigation led by the archbishop has been launched. |
| As the Easter service began, the rules of France’s third national lockdown – including a ban on gatherings of more than six people – had already come into force. | As the Easter service began, the rules of France’s third national lockdown – including a ban on gatherings of more than six people – had already come into force. |
| The strict measures were imposed in response to climbing intensive care admissions for Covid-19 patients, and are due to last for four weeks from April 3. | The strict measures were imposed in response to climbing intensive care admissions for Covid-19 patients, and are due to last for four weeks from April 3. |
| Like this story? Share it with a friend! | Like this story? Share it with a friend! |