Vandals desecrate tabernacle and ransack convent during Pope's visit in San Marino
On 22 August, sacrilegious desecration and vandalism struck the Convent of the Servite Fathers of Valdragone during Pope Leo XIV's visit to San Marino. During the incident, the perpetrators entered the chapel, forced open the tabernacle, and, removing the ciborium, scattered the consecrated hosts outside. Members of the local community were shocked and spoke of an "extremely serious" violation of the local church.
While San Marino was busy welcoming Pope Leo on 22 August, the Convent of the Servants of Mary in Valdragone was the target of serious desecration and act of vandalism. The vandals took advantage of Pope Leo XIV's visit to San Marino, when many in the area were busy welcoming the Pontiff.
The report states that unknown perpetrators entered the church complex, forcing several doors open and causing damage to the interior by ransacking the sacristy, stealing approxmately €1000 in cash of partial donations from the faithful. The most serious incident occurred when the perpetrators entered the chapel, forced open the tabernacle, and, removing the ciborium, scattered the consecrated hosts outside. The profane act of desecration is particularly egregious to Catholics, who hold the Eucharist at the centre of their faith.
The Diocese scheduled a Mass of Reparation and prayers of purification for desecration of the sacred site for 28 August. In a facebook post, a community member commented: "What has happened in the Valdragone convent is extremely serious...it's not just vandalism, it's not just a theft: a church has been violated, a place that belongs to the history, identity, and deep values...has been trampled upon."
The report states that police launched an investigation and acquired surveillance footage to identify those responsible.
Sources: libertas, giornalesm, ilrestodelcarlino, sanmarinotv
Symbolic Image: Pixabay