Bishop Condemns Deliberate Desecration of Pavia Cemetery Chapel
Between 28 and 29 August 2026, unknown perpetrators broke into the Chapel of San Giovannino Cemetery in Pavia, forced open the tabernacle and stole a ciborium containing consecrated hosts. Several hosts were found on the floor, while others were recovered inside the chapel during a subsequent police inspection. The incident was described by the Bishop as a “very serious act of sacrilege” and prompted a Mass of reparation, and prayers for repentance of the perpetrators.
The perpetrators forced the chapel's entrance and tore the tabernacle from its place, and, tearing it apart, they took the ciborium containing the consecrated hosts. Several hosts were found scattered on the floor and were taken to the cathedral after being collected.
According to the Diocese, the act was deliberately committed, with the Bishop of Pavia, Monsignor Sanguineti stating: "Unfortunately, the manner of the theft suggests a deliberate desecration and the intentional removal of the Eucharist." He said the "profound sorrow and dismay, because" for believers, "the Blessed Sacrament is the living and real presence of Christ the Lord."
Further the Bishop called for "sincere prayers of reparation and intercession for the repentance of the perpetrators of the act." A Mass of reparation was scheduled for 4 September, while the bishop temporarily ordered that the Eucharist no longer be kept in the chapel.
In the same night, the church of Santa Maria Maddalena Church in Poggio Rusco was targeted in a similar incident. Unknown perpetrators removed a marble tabernacle, including the consecrated hosts, from the main altar.
At the time of reporting, the Diocese had filed a complaint with the Carabinieri.
Sources: ilgiorno, informatorevegievanese; Rusco incident: ansa.it
Image: Social Media