Death of Father Olivier Maire, in Vendée: residents pay tribute to him
The inhabitants came in large numbers to gather in front of the place where the priest Olivier Maire was assassinated, in Saint-Laurent-sur-Sèvre, Monday, August 9, 2021. © RFI / Matthieu Bonhoure
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3 min
After the death in Vendée of Father Olivier Maire, Monday, August 9, the presumed person responsible for the tragedy, already suspected of having burned down Nantes cathedral last year, was internally interned.
The psychological state of this man, who had gone to the gendarmerie, was deemed incompatible with police custody.
The Minister of the Interior visited this town of 3,600 inhabitants, where residents came to express their sadness.
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In front of the gate of the Montfortian congregation, a few bouquets of flowers litter the ground.
On the square of this large church, Nicolas is very moved, he worked for 17 years with Father Olivier Maire.
He says he feels "
emptiness, because he is the pillar of the congregation, the one to whom we turn easily
".
Nicolas was able to attend the last mass of this priest on Sunday evening.
The words are put, reflected, introspective;
he speaks of a "
chance
", "
I would even speak of a grace," he adds.
It was quite overwhelming.
"
Just next to this small square, Bertrand is a bookseller.
He goes to mass every morning and has known Father Olivier Maire for 30 years.
He spent his whole day on Sunday with this priest.
“
We liked him a lot, he came to bless our apartment,
” he explains.
He was a man of great humility, of great depth.
I was still collapsed, collapsed.
But, but, but ... Still full of hope.
He knew that afterwards there would be something.
Thibaut came as soon as he knew.
Behind his glasses, this parishioner has a haggard look, he is in shock after this dramatic event.
He evokes "
an immense sadness
": "
We do not see what could have happened.
It's been two now, after Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray.
Today Saint-Laurent, tomorrow, what is it?
"
Under the sound of the bells, the inhabitants continue to parade to pass in this basilica and to pay a last homage to a man known by all in this city.
Saint-Laurent-sur-Sèvre after the assassination of a priest - August 9, 2021 pic.twitter.com/tnXnOh58pT
- Matthieu Bonhoure (@mbonhoure) August 9, 2021
→ To reread: A murdered priest in Vendée, Gérald Darmanin goes there
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