French diocese condemns attack on group of Catholic young adults

November 11, 2026

The Diocese of Rouen condemned an attack on a group of Catholic young adults at the Saint-Romain Fair, one of France’s largest annual fairs.

Referring to “serious violence committed against young people near the Saint-Romain Fair, accompanied by discriminatory insults,” the diocese expressed “its very strong disapproval” and reiterated its “condemnation of all forms of violence.”

The diocese also expressed its “deep support for the victims” and wished them a speedy recovery.

In its report on the October 31 incident, the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians said that “the attackers reportedly threw stones” at the group of 13 Catholic young adults “before punching and kicking them. One victim described seeing a friend lying unconscious on the ground while the attackers continued kicking him. Another said that, when he tried to help his younger brother, who was surrounded by around ten people beating him, he was hit in the side of the head, knocked down and beaten further.”

The New York Post reported that the victims identified their assailants as Muslim teenagers who shouted racist insults. Four of the victims, “all around 25, said they were punched and kicked until they lost consciousness. They were hospitalized with broken noses, cheekbones and orbital bones.”

 

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Further information:

• 4 French men claim racist Muslim mob beat them unconscious for singing Catholic songs (New York Post, 11/7/26)
• Catholic Youths Targeted in Assault Near Rouen Fair (OIDAC Europe, 10/31/26)
• Communiqué du diocèse de Rouen (11/4/26)