Print this pageFor Immediate Release
June 24, 2010
(Russian)
Sacred occasion in France draws record numbers
LOUVIERS, France—More than 210,000 persons in metropolitan France attended Jehovah’s Witnesses’ annual event marking the anniversary of the death of Jesus Christ.
Worldwide, on March 30, 2010, Jehovah’s Witnesses gathered to remember the last day of Jesus’ life on earth. They were joined by thousands of relatives, friends and neighbors to mark this special occasion. The increase in the number of those in attendance reflects the increase of more than 2,000 new congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses formed around the world, including in France, this past year.
The commemoration of the death of Jesus gave Witnesses in France one more opportunity to show their unity in faith with others worldwide. This came less than two months after they began sharing in rendering practical humanitarian aid to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti, thus showing their active support and loving care for those in need.
The religious nature of the activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses has been recognized in France and confirmed by French courts and other governmental authorities. Ten years ago, on June 23, 2000, the highest administrative court in France ruled that Jehovah’s Witnesses qualify as a religion under French law and that the activities engaged in within their places of worship are respectful of public policy.
Jehovah’s Witnesses have been active in France since the end of the 19th century and regularly assemble in more than 1,500 congregations throughout the country.
Contact: J. R. Brown, telephone: +1 718 560 5600