Man throws stones at image of St Joseph and damages church property
San Giuseppe Church and its parish oratory in the Matteotti district of Saronno were damaged in a vandalism attack in which stones were thrown at the church façade, damaging the image of St Joseph and the lighting of the Oratory. The incident not only affected the Christian community, but local organisations reached out in support in light of the "deeply saddening episode."
According to the report from 28 July 2026, San Giuseppe Church in the Matteotti district of Saronno was targeted in an act of vandalism. According to local residents, a man described as being in an agitated state threw stones at the church façade, striking the protective glass covering an image of Saint Joseph. He then moved to the adjacent parish oratory, where he damaged several lighting fixtures along the entrance pathway.
The incident caused visible damage to the church and the oratory, affecting a Christian place of worship and a religious image displayed on the church façade.
The report states that religious sisters living on the parish premises witnessed the attack and raised the alarm. A complaint to the police was subsequently filed by the parish.
The damage remained visible several days after the incident, the parish community is still saddened by the attack with local organisations expressing solidarity with them, writing "This is a deeply saddening episode, because an act of this kind doesn't just affect a single building, but a place that has always been a point of reference for children, young people, families, and the entire community."
Image: ilsaronno