Historic Church in Ponte di Piave Targeted by Serial Vandalism and Desecration
Rotten meat left at the altar, sacred statues defaced, and a fire narrowly extinguished—months of escalating desecration forced the closure of a historic church in Ponte di Piave, now set to reopen under surveillance. The parish priest spoke of serious desecration and a sustained campaign against the church and its clergy.
Between early July and September, the small church in Borgo Sottotreviso, Ponte di Piave, was repeatedly vandalized and desecrated in attacks that have shocked the local community. Incidents included arson attempts, placement of rotten meat near the altar, defacement of sacred statues, and hostile signage targeting the parish priest. A macabre skeleton image was affixed to the church façade, and the lock was later tampered with, preventing entry. These acts led to the church’s temporary closure and a unanimous municipal resolution condemning the attacks. As of September 8th, weekly Masses resumed while daily access remains restricted until surveillance cameras are installed.
In a parish bulletin, Don Antonio Ziliotto described the incidents as “very serious voluntary acts of desecration,” citing the discovery of rotten meat near the tabernacle and a fire narrowly extinguished by a parishioner. He added that “the disfigurement of sacred statues and the hanging of hostile signs” were part of a sustained campaign against the church and its clergy.
The reopening follows a unanimous resolution by the municipal council condemning the attacks and expressing solidarity with Don Ziliotto. Authorities continue to investigate, and the church will remain under watch to prevent further incidents.
Source: Tribuna Treviso
Photo: Google maps