By Canadian Press

Montreal landmark church says people ignited a flare, not a fire, at famous shrine

Sep 6, 2023 | 12:25 PM

MONTREAL — A landmark Montreal church is confirming that a group of people ignited a flare — and not a bonfire — on the steps leading to the Catholic shrine on Saturday.

Representatives of Saint Joseph’s Oratory had originally suspected that a video depicting the incident was fake because it appeared to show a large fire burning on church property at night. 

The video that circulated on social media seemed to show people playing drums and chanting around a fire on the church steps.

Danielles Decelles, a spokeswoman for the oratory, says a soccer team and several fans were given permission from security guards to take photos and video on the steps of the church Saturday evening.

Decelles says a flare was set off during that time but no damage was caused and the soccer team left shortly afterwards without incident. 

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She says the event was minor and was not immediately reported by security guards to church management.

Constructed over several decades, the towering church on Mount Royal is a world pilgrimage site and receives millions of visitors per year.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 6, 2023.

The Canadian Press