The car of a parish priest was deliberately set on fire next to a church in Santo Stefano d’Aspromonte, directly affecting a member of the clergy and the church environment. The incident has raised concern within the local community.
The incident occurred during the night of 2-3 March 2025, when the vehicle belonging to Don Vincenzo Attisano was set on fire while parked a few metres from the church and the adjoining parish house. The fire destroyed the car but did not spread to the nearby church buildings. Emergency services and Carabinieri responded to the scene and opened an investigation.
Subsequent investigations identified two young individuals as suspects, including a 22-year-old who was questioned and denied involvement. Authorities are examining possible motives, including personal disputes and circumstances linked to activities around the parish, while no involvement of organised crime has been indicated. The case has had a significant impact on the local community, given the proximity of the incident to the church and its targeting of the parish priest.