Church in Parada de Ribeira Desecrated
On 7 August 2026, the parish church of San Salvador de Parada de Ribeira in Xinzo de Limia was broken into and desecrated, with the tabernacle forced open and consecrated hosts removed. The incident, which was regarded as a profanation of "extraordinary gravity," caused considerable distress in the parish and led to a penitential rite and purification of the church before worship could resume.
During the early hours of 7 August, perpetrators broke into the Church of San Salvador de Parada de Ribeira while it was closed. The following morning, the sacristan discovered that the church had been desecrated, finding that the tabernacle had been forced open, and the consecrated hosts, stolen. Further, the sacristan discovered that numerous sacred objects were missing.
In response, the Spanish Foundation of Christian Lawyers have taken legal action and filed a complaint before the Court in Xinzo de Limia against those responsible for the "assault and desecration" of the church. According to the report, there were "serious signs of violence found inside the church," and the "theft and tampering of the consecrated hosts kept in the tabernacle" constitutes "a profanation of extraordinary gravity."
The Diocese regards the removal of consecrated hosts as a particularly serious profanation, which has struck at the heart of the Eucharistic Catholic faith. Parish priest, Tomás Delgado, said that parishioners were left "hurt" by the incident.
Sources: elespanol, laregion, farodevigo
Image: Social Media