The Role of the Private Security Sector in Developing the Security Model for Christian Sacred Sites

Abstract

The need for physical protection of Christian sacred sites is already mentioned in the Bible and the Torah. All societies, taking into account the architectural and cultural aspects of the given era, have firmly sought to protect villages and towns that provide living space to members of communities using gates and walls against the enemy’s attacks. In this context, the protection of Christian sacred sites was of paramount importance in all historical periods. This paper deals with relevant security issues affecting European Christian sacred sites, namely the prevention of attacks on churches and priests. The problem is primarily examined from the side of the private security sector, in terms of how the private security sector can use an effective guarding and protection structure to protect Christian sacred sites.