On June 27, thieves broke into the tabernacle of the Church Parrocchiale Maria Santissima Addolorata in Grottasanta district in Siracusa, Sicily, thereby damaged the tabernacle, and stole the pyx with the consecrated hosts, the reliquary with the main host and a crucifix that was next to the altar.
The parish priest, Father Felice, was the first to notice the theft of the hosts and liturgical objects and immediately called the police. He expressed his concern that satanist black masses could be behind the theft as this has been a growing problem in the region, according to the priest.