SW News: The Catholic Archbishop of the French city of Toulouse has come out with a statement condemning the attempt to wreak havoc in Saint-Etienne Cathedral and cause harm to the faithful using an explosive.

“I strongly condemn this act and regret that in our country, a place of prayer, as well as its faithful, are targeted by an explosive device,” said Archbishop Guy de Kerimel in a press release and he invited all the Catholics to celebrate the “Holy Week with confidence".

The incident took place on April 8 when 30 believers had gathered in the cathedral for Holy Mass at 8 am. After leaving a piece of baggage near the altar, a man quickly left the scene, prompting the sacristan to alert the police. Soon, officers arrived on the scene and defused the explosive. The homemade improvised explosive device was placed by a forty-something man.

La Depeche reported that the intruder had a tiff with the sacristan who tried to stop him. He then asked the faithful to evacuate the cathedral and alerted the police after the incident. Father Simon d'Artigue, the rector of the cathedral, said, "The sacristan tried to intercept him, the man jostled him, before running away."

Police have established a security perimeter and investigators later arrested the alleged suspect, who also seems to be mentally imbalanced.

According to the Toulouse prosecutor, the alleged culprit was known to authorities for drunk driving, contempt of officers, and use of narcotic substances.

Meanwhile, Fr Simon posted a video on Facebook reassuring believers that all security measures would be taken to enable believers to safely attend Holy Week services. The Interior Ministry has urged the police to maintain “greater vigil” during Holy Week.