Exactly 450 years after the massacres of Protestants on Saint Bartholomew's Day in 1572, French Christians plan to march together in Nantes on August 24.
The march reminds of the reconciliation between Catholics and Protestants after these bloody events.
This was recorded by Evangeliques.info.
Christians in Nantes want to mark the stages of reconciliation between Catholics and Protestants since the massacres of Saint Bartholomew's Day 450 years ago. Protestants, Catholics, Evangelicals and Orthodox Christians come together on the evening of August 24 for a “fraternal” march, followed by an ecumenical prayer vigil.
On the night of August 24, 1572, 30,000 Protestants were massacred in Paris. Unofficially under the order of the Royal council of Charles IX. Against the backdrop of the Wars of Religion (1562-1598), the initial objective was to eliminate the Protestant military leaders from the French capital. However, the murder spree spread to major provincial cities for several weeks. Protestants, in general, became targets. In total, between 15,000 and 30,000 of them were killed.
Divisions cause atheism
The symbol “of the conflict to the paths of reconciliation”, the convoy will leave this Wednesday from the court of the cathedral of Nantes early evening to go to the Protestant church of the city. “In the past and sometimes still in the present, Christians have tragically betrayed their vocation. The scandal of divisions between the churches is one of the main causes of atheism,” according to the United Protestant Church of Nantes leaders.
“In revisiting the anniversary of the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre, we remember that God calls for reconciliation because He is the path of forgiveness and life,” the announcement said. The evening will end in the church with intercessory prayers for reconciliation and peace in today's world.
