At Lourdes, Bernard Cazeneuve told Catholic his “solidarity” – Le Figaro

Minister of the Interior on Saturday inspected security arrangements in place for the pilgrimage of the Assumption.

the interior minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, expressed Saturday at Lourdes in the Hautes-Pyrénées his “solidarity” with the Catholics, inspecting the security arrangements in place for the pilgrimage Assumption of the Virgin Mary that is to say, his ascent to heaven. The Marian shrine of Lourdes, where according to the teaching of the Catholic Church of the Virgin Mary appeared to a young shepherdess, Bernadette Soubirous in 1858, is one of the first places of Catholic pilgrimage in the world.

“when” the Catholics of France “are preparing for a party that speaks for them (…) I want (their) express our solidarity, the will of mine as Minister of Religious Affairs of ensure security of places of worship and major events, “said the minister at the side of the bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes, Monsignor Brouwet. “I would also tell all the church leaders of France my gratitude and great appreciation for the extremely responsible speech” after the attack in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, near Rouen, where a priest was murdered July 26

“Christians. August 15th for concern and reflection

in the sanctuary, Bernard Cazeneuve met policemen, soldiers and security guards, crossing the esplanade while unfolded an outdoor mass. Stressing that “the terrorist threat (was) at a very high level,” the minister called for “trusting cooperation” and rejection of “conflicts, antagonisms, unnecessary controversies.” He referred to the “very important enhancement of resources mobilized” for summer events, stating that “297″ more people were mobilized to Lourdes.

In all, 508 members of the security forces are deployed to this pilgrimage, said Minister in the South West.

508 members of security forces were deployed for the pilgrimage to Lourdes Copyright: PASCAL PAVANI / AFP

Since Thursday, thousands pilgrims flock to Lourdes for the celebration of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. On 15 August, the peak of the celebrations, 25,000 people are expected for an international Mass in the prairie of the sanctuary.

Reinforcements police, mobile and military forces, the entries, pedestrianization of streets adjacent noon and the night flight ban by drones are part of the measures announced by the local authorities.

Copyright: PASCAL PAVANI / AFP

Considering the presence of military “unfortunate” but “necessary”, the father Ameer Jaje, came to Baghdad to join a delegation of Eastern Christians refugees in France, said to AFP that “for Iraqis specifically, for the Syrians, it reminds us a little of what we live there.” “We can and must live together,” he said.

“At Lourdes pilgrims want to” display their values ​​”

The last visit of a minister Interior within the Lourdes shrine dates back to 2004 and the visit of Dominique de Villepin. But then came as a guest at the Mass of August 15 with Pope John Paul II.