The Saint-Simon church, over 100 years old, was completely destroyed by a criminal fire on Monday (24), in New Brunswick, in northeastern Canada. The temple, which was empty when the flames began, was considered the largest wooden church in the province and an important symbol of the local Catholic community.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) arrived at the scene shortly after 4am, but much of the construction had already been consumed by fire. No one was injured in the incident.
Gilles Mallet, 68 years old, was arrested and charged with arson for allegedly starting the fire. Police did not report the possible motivation for the act.
The destruction of the church led the leader of the Conservative Party and the Official Opposition, Pierre Poilievre, to denounce what he considers an escalation of anti-Christian violence in the country.
