The president of France, Emmanuel Macron, condemned the “barbarity of Islamist terrorism” and said the police had prevented an attack at another place of the country.
In his statement, the bishop of Arras conveyed his condolences to the relatives and friends of the victims and said he “very strongly condemned this terrorist attack.”
“With the whole Church, I repeat that violence can never claim to be from God, and I reaffirm our confidence in justice and our country’s police,” he said.
The prelate thanked the teachers and those dedicated to education, and then invited “all Christians to pray for the victims and for our wounded world that is so wounded and to join all other people of goodwill for justice and peace.”
A special time of prayer for peace was planned for 7 p.m. local time Monday at the cathedral in Arras, presided by Leborgne.
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.