Arsonists Set Pilgrimage Church Altar on Fire

Case information
Incident date
Country
Germany
Place
Dorschhausen
Categories
  • Social Hostility / Intolerance
Attack Against
  • Faith
Perpetrator / Motive Indicators
  • Private
Hate Crime & Violent Incidents
  • Arson
  • Desecration
  • Vandalism (all)
  • Vandalism of Church
Place of Incident
  • Church
Bias Indicators
  • Lack of Other Motive
  • Significance of Property/Structure/Location to religious community
  • Victim/Witness Perception
Reported to Police
  • Yes
Response of Local Authorities
  • Investigated

In the night of August 24 to 25, unknown perpetrators tried to set fire to a pilgrim church in Dorschhausen, Bad Wörishofen. They also tried to set fire to the tablecloth on the altar, causing severe damage of several thousand euros.

According to police investigations, the perpetrators had ripped off the disinfectant dispenser and tried to set fire to the carpet with the liquid. They then tried to set fire to the tablecloth on the altar.

The locals are shocked about the destruction. ‘The altar is not an ordinary table, but a consecrated place,’ emphasised the priest who insisted that this was ‘not a harmless prank, but gross destruction’. ‘The emotional damage for the faithful of the parish of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary is great’, he also said.

The police are investigating and are looking for witnesses.

Media: Pixabay (Symbolic Picture)

Sources