Desecration in Noia
According to a report from 18 September, a Mass of Reparation and Atonement was held in Noia after five unknown perpetrators entered the Church of San Martiño, opened the tabernacle and stole two ciboria containing consecrated hosts. Both the parish priest and the bishop expressed deep pain of the community over the attack on what is considered most sacred to the Catholic faith, yet appealed to respond with fatih, worship, love, and prayer for the perpetrators.
The Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela has called on the parish community of San Martiño de Noia to respond with prayer after five unknown perpetrators entered the Church of San Martiño and emptied the tabernacle, stealing two ciboria containing consecrated hosts. The hosts were to be used in the following Mass, which was to occur shortly after the incident.
The parish priest, José Ortoño, expressed special concern about the theft of the consecrated hosts, which extends well beyond material value, but which are considered the most sacred objects in the Catholic faith, and the centre of the life of the Church.
A Mass of Reparation took place on on 17 September, and the presiding priest, Monsignor Prieto, stated in his homily that despite the deep pain of the attack affecting the Christian, the response should be "more faith, more worship, more love." Further, he asked for prayers for those who committed the desecration and for their conversion.
The Archbishop has encouraged the faithful to maintain a commitment to the life of the parish, in order to heal the wound caused by the desecration.
Sources: diariodesantiago, pastoralsantiago
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