Intruders Damage Altar Piece and Statue in Barcelona Church
Extensive damage was caused to the Sanctuary of Santa Eulalia de Vilapicina in Barcelona, with intruders breaking the altar door, pulling a wooden altarpiece from the wall and knocking over a religious statue. The incident caused "great pain" to those responsible for the sanctuary and temporarily disrupted local worship.
The burglars entered the Sanctuary of Santa Eulalia de Vilapicina and caused damage significant damage to the sanctuary, as well as to several religious objects and furnishings, including the statue of Saint Eulalia, patroness of the sanctuary, which was knocked to the floor. Further damage included an altarpiece dedicated to Saint Martin de Porres being torn from the wall, a report stated: "They ripped it out; they didn't take it."
While the intruders caused significant damage to the place of worship, only one object, namely the crown from the statue of the Virgin of the Snows, was stolen. The sanctuary association subsequently filed a complaint with the Catalan police and planned to clean and repair the damage before Masses were due to resume on 30 August.
Moreover, according to the reports, this theft adds to similar cases which have occurred in Barcelona over recent years, from the theft of statues (OIDAC, reported) to consecrated hosts (OIDAC, reported).
Sources: eldebate, elperiodico
Symbolic Image: Pixabay