On 19 October, an unknown perpetrator broke into the Maria Santissima del Carmelo Parish, broke into the church tabernacle, removed the consecrated hosts and threw them across the altar, before stealing the ciboria and other sacred vessels, in what the parish has described as "a serious act of desecration."
The break-in and desecration occurred on the night of 19 October, when unknown perpetrators broke into the Carmelite Parish in Termini Imerese and forced open the tabernacle, scattering the Eucharistic hosts across the altar. The theft of the ciboria and other sacred vessels added grief to the saddening situation.
The parish priest, Giuseppe Zucchetto, stated: "I was deeply saddened by this incident and I hope they will repent of this grave act of desecration." Other parish priests in Termini Imerese also expressed their solidarity and joined in prayers of reparation with Fr. Zucchetto "in the face of such a grave act."
On behalf of the Church of Palermo, the Archbishop, Corrado Lorefice condemned the act and expressed hope to "repair the outrage against the Eucharist with the communion of our prayers."
UPDATE: According to a report from 23 October, Carabinieri arrested a 36-year-old man in connection with the theft, but are still continuing to recover all the stolen goods.
Sources: palermotoday, lasicilia, facebook, ilsycomoro
Image: Social Media