A church in Quattro Castella was desecrated after unknown perpetrators forced the tabernacle and removed consecrated hosts.
The incident occurred on 21 February 2025 at the parish church in Quattro Castella, where unknown individuals entered the building and initially targeted an offertory box before forcing open the tabernacle. The perpetrators removed a small container holding consecrated hosts, including hosts used for Eucharistic adoration. The stolen vessel held the consecrated hosts, which are of central religious significance in Catholic belief, making the act particularly sensitive for the local Christian community. In Catholic understanding, such actions constitute desecration and typically require a special Mass of reparation; the parish priest accordingly called for prayers of reparation following the incident.
Parish priest Don Sergio Pellati described the impact on the community, stating: “There is great bitterness about what has happened.” He also confirmed that the tabernacle had been forced open and that consecrated hosts had been taken. In response to the incident, the church has restricted access and will remain open only during religious services. The case was reported to the Carabinieri, and the diocesan authorities were informed.
The parish had experienced previous incidents in the weeks prior, including the theft of candle offerings, indicating a pattern of repeated targeting of the church.