According to reports from 1 September, a group of young people repeatedly caused disturbances at the church in Lunetta, including entering the building and blaspheming at the faithful who were praying; littering and causing damage to the churchyard. The parish responded by closing the church during the mornings until the reopening of schools, citing the need to protect the faithful and prevent further vandalism.
The incidents had occurred in the days before the report and involved a group of minors who entered the church in Lunetta, while shirtless, and uttered blasphemies at the faithful who were praying. The minors had left vomit on the church steps, and littered outside the church, including leaving beer bottles and removing tiles from the churchyard, alongside other acts described as vandalism and uncivil behaviour.
In response to the incidents, the parish has temporarily prohibited entry to the church during morning hours until schools reopened, in order to avoid risks to worshippers and disrespect to the place of worship.
Local councillors Pier Luigi Baschieri and Assunta Formicola condemned the behaviour, stating: "Entering a church and blaspheming cannot become a fashion." Further, the reports indicate that the behaviour may be due to a lack of integration that has caused a breakdown in civil behaviour and disrespect for local heritage.
Sources: mantovauno, vocedimantova, gazzetamantova, gazzettadimantova1
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