By their own admission, they were "overwhelmed" by the scale of the event.
Last Sunday at 6 p.m., more than 600 people gathered on the forecourt of Saint-Louis Cathedral in Versailles to protest against the ban on mass in public.
In fact, it is a real moment of prayer that was held there at a time when ceremonies are prohibited in places of worship.
At the origin of this gathering, a simple message from two friends of the Catholic faith from the royal city: launched on a WhatsApp group, the latter quickly snowballed.
The group grew at lightning speed, bringing together many practicing Catholics from the region, and quickly reached 250 people, before all therefore found on the forecourt of Saint-Louis, even more numerous.
A moment of claim
"At the end of this moment, many already wanted to plan a new gathering," remembers Albane, 23, a speech therapy student, one of the initiators.
So, to avoid a new scenario of this type, one where the organizers have little control over their project, the prefecture received, this Thursday, the group of three young believers from Versailles wanting to express their discontent again.
This Sunday, at 5:30 p.m., a meeting is scheduled at the same place as last week, but this time, prayers and songs should not be the only words to go to heaven.
In addition, Fabien Bouglé, municipal councilor of opposition (DVD), also calls to join the movement from 5 pm on the square of the Saint-Louis cathedral.
"Feeling of injustice"
“We've seen the criticism of street prayers, that's not what we want to do.
Worship gatherings are prohibited.
This time, it will be a protest demonstration ”, warn the three young Versaillais.
Even if some songs are therefore not to be excluded, signs and slogans asking for the return of the religious office will be on the program.
Versailles, last Sunday.
The square of Saint-Louis Cathedral quickly filled up with the faithful, disappointed at not being able to attend mass.
Twitter / @ ndchretiente
“We have a strong sense of injustice.
For us, mass is just as essential as the shops, ”summarizes Adelaide, 22, a biology student.
However, there is no question of ending up without health and safety security.
“We will have a dedicated team to check that everyone is wearing their mask correctly.
But also an internal security service, ”wants to reassure Adelaide.
For his part, the prefect Jean-Jacques Brot, who cannot prohibit these demonstrations since "the decree of October allows the continuation of protest demonstrations in compliance with barrier measures, without maximum gauge", has planned to deploy a force device. of the order.
Other gatherings in Rambouillet and Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Because the initiative of last Sunday, which was inspired by the same gathering in Nantes (Loire-Atlantique), was emulated.
Meetings are also planned elsewhere in the Yvelines this Sunday, in Rambouillet in front of the Sainte-Bernadette church at 4:30 p.m., in Saint-Germain-en-Laye in front of the Saint-Germain church at 3 p.m.
Other events of this type should take place in Paris, Bois-Colombes (Hauts-de-Seine) or even Senlis and Compiègne (Oise).
"Praying together for the return of masses is good, we believe in that", explains Albane, who prefers to ignore the criticisms of some, especially on the health aspect.
“There has never been a cluster born from a mass!
», Wants to remind Adelaide.
An invitation to stay "in the nails"
Warned by the three young organizers of this new protest movement, the diocese of Versailles remains detached from this initiative.
However, the bishop, Mgr Eric Aumonier, answered them by reminding them to “stay in the nails”, confide the students.
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A support that the Church does not want to show clearly.
“It is their right that Catholics demonstrate.
We can understand them.
But we are responsible and citizens and we cannot say that we support.
The Council of State has maintained its restrictions, it must be respected ”, advocates the diocese of Versailles.
Without knowing if priests or religious will join in the discontent of this Sunday.