On Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook and Twitter, this joke of high school students from Reims has been circulating with hundreds of thousands of views since Thursday, March 11. In the cathedral of Reims, six young men and a young woman are kneeling on prie-dieu in the cathedral of Reims. ” Go ahead make a cross on everyone’s forehead », Giggles the filmmaker to her girlfriend, standing in front of her seven comrades. One by one, this one signs the foreheads of her friends, mocking. A young man, to respond to his friend’s “blessing”, crosses himself, an unlit cigarette stuck in his smile. Laughter bursts out. The video is published topped with a comment ” I’m sorry but respect the house of the Lord what is this? »
→ ANALYSIS. Crimes, the delicate care of minors
The tone of the following sequence is less light. The young men who appear in the previous video are, this time, standing outside the cathedral. One by one, they are slapped by a man filmed from behind, who punctuates each of his slaps with a ” Okay »Very audible. ” You go-y », Intends the cameraman to the first victim. ” I apologize to all Christians », Answers the high school student. ” We apologize for the acts in church Said a second. The slaps are quickly followed by punches, then kicks against the young people, some of whom fall to the ground. ” Calms you ! »Thunders a woman outside the video.
A story of kids doing something stupid
Broadcast on Thursday evening March 11, this series of videos arouses countless reactions on the networks, both for its violent nature and for the reasons for this violence. In the eyes of the diocese, contacted by The cross, nothing really bad about the joke that aired in the first clip. ” I saw the video on Thursday. It’s just a story of kids doing something stupid. There is no profanation, no degradation. I hadn’t even thought of telling the rector! »Explains Sixte-Anne Rousselot, head of communication for the diocese of Reims. ” It wasn’t smart, that’s all. »
The first video was posted first on the networks. According to the daily Release, the future aggressors would have made an appointment with the young Rémois near the cathedral, near the war memorial, for their ” to give a lesson “. « It was either “you come at such a time, such a place to get banged and to apologize publicly, or we show up at your place” », Said a young man who knew the attackers, whose comments were reported by Release. Only the young men went to the meeting, and therefore agreed to be beaten. ” We of course condemn the violence, and hope that the victims will recover. », Assures Sixte-Anne Rousselot.
An open investigation
According to the public prosecutor of Reims Matthieu Bourrette and following the report of several schools, an investigation was opened for “violence in meetings” and “recording and dissemination on social networks of acts of violence”.
→ TRIBUNE. Right to blasphemy and duty of respect
« The perpetrators of the violence are in the process of being identified, but a priori we do not know them », Explains the communication manager of the diocese. According to the local press, the attackers are known to the police services responsible for the investigation. So far, no complaint has been filed by the victims.
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