Religious statue beheaded inside Scalini church
On July 31, vandals partially forced open the front and outer doors of the sacristy of the church of Scalini, a hamlet of Arsiero, destroyed a plaster statue of St. Anthony holding the Infant Jesus, decapitated both figures, threw furniture on the ground, attempted break into the donation box, broke a stained glass window in the apse, and tore down a microphone.
According to witnesses, three young men on bicycles, possibly of African origin, arrived near the cemetery at around 18:00. The damage was reported on Sunday morning. There was no money in the church, with only 6 to 7 euros left in the cash box. There were signs of vandalism conducted in anger - a statue thrown between the pews, with the head of the saint, and the head of the Child Jesus cut off. Police are still examining the CCTV footage.
Andrea Cecchellero, member of the regional council of the Lega-Liga Veneta sees a long history of vandalism against symbols of tradition, such as the theft of the Madonna statue in Forni in 2023. "I condemn without hesitation this shameful and senseless act and express my solidarity with the affected community."
Source: Veneto News, GDV
Picture: Facebook - Il Giornale di Vicenza