Two Churches in Brentonico Desecrated with Human Waste
Two churches in Brentonico, the Churches of St. Rocco, and the crypt of Sts. Peter and Paul, were targeted in an act of desecration with human excrements left inside the places of worship within one week. Regarding the most recent incident at the crypt, the excrement was left before the altar of the crypt along with an altar cloth used for cleaning. The incidents have caused deep distress in the local community, and were described by the parish priest as a deliberate desecration targeting Christian places of worship.
Two incidents of sacrilegious vandalism occurred at the Church of St. Rocco, and the crypt of the Archpriest's Church of Sts. Peter and Paul in Brentonico within one week. At St. Rocco, unknown perpetrators reportedly urinated on the altar cloths after disturbing items inside the church. Several days later, on August 20, human faeces were discovered behind the altar in the crypt of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul. Further, an altar cloth had been used for cleaning, and a bag containing food waste was left at the site.
In the reports the parish priest of San Rocco, Fr. Daniele Laghi, expressed strong indignation over the incident. He described it as "a shameful act of contempt towards the entire community" and said: "I am outraged, not to say disappointed." Referring specifically to the use of the altar cloth, he stated that the conduct was "uncivilised" and "disgusting." Furthermore, considering the incidents occurred in two separate churches at two separate times, Fr. Laghi considered the circumstances particularly serious. In his assessment of the circumstances, he stated: "In my opinion they did it deliberately in contempt of the Church; I would call it a true desecration. I have never experienced anything like this."
The parish called the community to prayer as an act of reparation and prayer at St. Rocco's and at the crypt. Authorities were also conducting inquiries, and the priest appealed to residents to report anyone they had seen behaving suspiciously around the churches.
Sources: gazzettadellevalli, tv33, trentotoday, lavocedeltrentino, ladige.it
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