Vandalism of Chapel in Olbia

Case information
Incident date
Country
Italy
Place
Olbia
Categories
  • Social Hostility / Intolerance
Attack Against
  • Faith
Perpetrator / Motive Indicators
  • Private
Hate Crime & Violent Incidents
  • Vandalism (all)
  • Vandalism of Church
  • Intolerance towards Religious Symbols
Place of Incident
  • Church
Bias Indicators
  • Lack of Other Motive
  • Pattern or Frequency of Attacks
  • Significance of Property/Structure/Location to religious community
  • Victim/Witness Perception
Reported to Police
  • Yes
Response of Local Authorities
  • Investigated
Image credit: facebook.com (San Vittore Comitato)

On 26 February, the parish priest of Sant'Ignazio da Laconi found the small church of San Vittore in Olbia vandalised. Unknown perpetrators had broken rosaries, altar candlesticks and several other sacred objects. The police are now investigating the incident.

Once again, the Italian region of Sardinia has suffered a senseless attack on a church. This time the perpetrators caused considerable damage to the small church of San Vittore. The committee in charge of protecting this sacred site has already reacted: "Despite the concerns, we always leave the doors open to allow anyone to visit at any time, but unfortunately someone did not deserve our trust".

According to the local media, Don Gianni Sini, an exorcist from the diocese of Tempio-Ampurias, has also been to the site to assess whether the damage could have other connotations than a simple act of vandalism.

Sources