Vandalism and Theft Target Parish Patronage in Mestre
The patronage of the Church of Santa Maria di Lourdes in Venice has been repeatedly affected by vandalism, theft attempts and intrusions, prompting the parish priest to install protective fencing at the entrance. The incidents were reported in early February 2026 following a series of disturbances around the parish facilities.
According to parish priest Don Marco Scaggiante, attempts were repeatedly made during the Christmas period to steal money from nativity scene donation boxes and church offering boxes in the churches of Via Piave and nearby Santa Rita.
The parish has also experienced acts of vandalism, including graffiti on recently repainted walls near the patronage boiler room and the theft of planters placed in front of the building. In addition, the entrance door of the patronage was reportedly forced open several times, while individuals entered the premises and used parish spaces to shelter, leading the parish to plan the installation of a fence and additional gate to protect the building and its visitors.
Source: Il Gazzettino