On Friday morning, April 26, an unknown perpetrator tried to set fire to the church of San Bernardino Realino in Carpi. After attempting to steal the offering box, he set fire to the tablecloth in the side chapel.
According to local media, an unknown hooded man broke into the church and attempted to steal from the offering boxes, unsuccessfully. Apparently, he then made his way to the little chapel and set fire to the tablecloth.
The parish priest, Fr. Mauro Pancera, spoke out regarding the arson attack: “Providentially, the fire was confined only to the altar area and did not affect other parts of the newly restored Chapel, which has already returned as of yesterday to its daily reality as a place of prayer and devotion (...). Our thanks go to the police who promptly intervened, to the public institutions and to all those who have shown their closeness that is precious to us.”
The police are investigating the incident and examining the images of the surveillance cameras.