The Evangelical Council of Andalusia (CEAA) has expressed its “strongest condemnation and deepest repulsion” for the attack on a Roman Catholic church in El Pozuelo, a hamlet in the southern Spanish municipality of Albuñol in Granada (Spain), on Sunday, 17 August.

“We extend our utmost solidarity to the parishioners, the parish priest, and all those affected by this assault against their spiritual space and their right to religious freedom”, reads the CEAA statement.

Andalusian evangelicals “categorically reject any form of aggression that threatens coexistence, mutual respect, and peace between communities”.

“Churches, whether Catholic, evangelical or of any other denomination, must be safe spaces where people can practise their faith freely and with dignity”, they add.

The CEAA hopes that the church will be restored soon “for the benefit of the Roman Catholic community in Albuñol and to ensure that justice prevails”.

They also urge the authorities to “clarify the facts and guarantee the safety of all places of worship in Andalusia”.

“This act not only hurts a specific community, but also threatens the fabric of respect and plurality that we value so much in our region. May this event encourage us to redouble our efforts in favour of interreligious dialogue, tolerance, and freedom of worship”, concludes the statement.

Details of the attack 

According to local media outlets, a 21-year-old Moroccan man who lives in the village of Albuñol entered the Church of the Apostle James, breaking a stained-glass window. He locked himself inside and smashed several religious images with a hammer.

He also damaged the altar and pews. When he heard neighbours trying to enter, he set fire to several items.

Firefighters extinguished the flames and the alleged attacker was arrested shortly afterwards. The man is now before the courts and could be charged with crimes against religious sentiment, with additional charges for the material damage caused. Some media outlets say that he may have mental health issues.