<![CDATA[The Catacombs - Anti-Catholic Violence]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/ Mon, 26 Oct 2026 04:56:09 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[Poland: Priest dies in knife attack at Benedictine convent]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/showthread.php?tid=8732 Fri, 25 Sep 2026 11:42:54 +0000 Stone]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/showthread.php?tid=8732 <![CDATA[Priest pins down deranged man who attacked him during Adoration]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/showthread.php?tid=8613 Thu, 03 Sep 2026 18:25:15 +0000 Stone]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/showthread.php?tid=8613 Priest pins down deranged man who attacked him during Adoration
A disturbed man entered a Massachusetts Catholic church on Monday and assaulted the priest, who subdued and forgave him.

Sep 3, 2026
NEW BEDFORD, Massachusetts (LifeSiteNews) – A priest and a congregant subdued a violent man who interrupted Eucharistic Adoration on Monday, with the priest offering his forgiveness after sustaining minor injuries.

Boston ABC affiliate WCVB reports that 59-year-old Jose Nascimento entered Mount Carmel Church and began knocking items off the altar. The priest, Fr. Chris Peschel, confronted him, at which point the intruder allegedly physically attacked him and warned, “You’re dead. You’re a dead man. I have one bullet in my backpack” (which was not true, according to investigators).

The priest was punched in the face and hit with a beer can during the struggle, during which congregant Joao Debrito stepped in to help subdue Nascimento.

“As soon as I see the fight, so I jump in and then I go to help the priest,” Debrito said. “I grab the guy, make sure I don’t fight the priest and hold him down. Make sure the priest call the police. The police came, and they take over.”

“I’m doing well and am at St. Luke’s Hospital getting some things checked out. Yes, a man attacked me at confessions and adoration this evening after he tried to steal the monstrance,” Fr. Peschel later said in a Facebook post. “I forgive him. I am just glad nobody else was hurt. I pinned him down until the police arrived. NBPD, the ambulance crew, and the staff at St Luke have been great. I am alright, thank you all again.”

Nascimento has been charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, threat to commit a crime, disturbing the peace, and disorderly conduct.

At this point, there appears to be no deeper motive at work in this case than a mentally disturbed individual lashing out.

“On Wednesday, a judge ordered Nascimento to be further examined at Bridgewater State Hospital for a 20-day period,” WPRI reports. “According to an expert opinion, he lacked behavioral control and an understanding of the events that were happening at the time.”]]> Priest pins down deranged man who attacked him during Adoration
A disturbed man entered a Massachusetts Catholic church on Monday and assaulted the priest, who subdued and forgave him.

Sep 3, 2026
NEW BEDFORD, Massachusetts (LifeSiteNews) – A priest and a congregant subdued a violent man who interrupted Eucharistic Adoration on Monday, with the priest offering his forgiveness after sustaining minor injuries.

Boston ABC affiliate WCVB reports that 59-year-old Jose Nascimento entered Mount Carmel Church and began knocking items off the altar. The priest, Fr. Chris Peschel, confronted him, at which point the intruder allegedly physically attacked him and warned, “You’re dead. You’re a dead man. I have one bullet in my backpack” (which was not true, according to investigators).

The priest was punched in the face and hit with a beer can during the struggle, during which congregant Joao Debrito stepped in to help subdue Nascimento.

“As soon as I see the fight, so I jump in and then I go to help the priest,” Debrito said. “I grab the guy, make sure I don’t fight the priest and hold him down. Make sure the priest call the police. The police came, and they take over.”

“I’m doing well and am at St. Luke’s Hospital getting some things checked out. Yes, a man attacked me at confessions and adoration this evening after he tried to steal the monstrance,” Fr. Peschel later said in a Facebook post. “I forgive him. I am just glad nobody else was hurt. I pinned him down until the police arrived. NBPD, the ambulance crew, and the staff at St Luke have been great. I am alright, thank you all again.”

Nascimento has been charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, threat to commit a crime, disturbing the peace, and disorderly conduct.

At this point, there appears to be no deeper motive at work in this case than a mentally disturbed individual lashing out.

“On Wednesday, a judge ordered Nascimento to be further examined at Bridgewater State Hospital for a 20-day period,” WPRI reports. “According to an expert opinion, he lacked behavioral control and an understanding of the events that were happening at the time.”]]> <![CDATA[Our Lady statue destroyed in latest attack on New York Catholic church]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/showthread.php?tid=8542 Thu, 06 Aug 2026 10:27:56 +0000 Stone]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/showthread.php?tid=8542 Our Lady statue destroyed in latest attack on New York Catholic church
Police are investigating the latest attack on St. Rita Roman Catholic Church in Queens, where a man reportedly used a hammer to destroy a statue of the Blessed Mother.

[Image: StRitaVandalism2-e1785953411240.jpeg]

Vandalized statue of Our Lady, St. Rita Roman Catholic Church, Dutch Kills section of Queens, New York.
St. Rita's Church/Diocese of Brooklyn
Aug 5, 2026
NEW YORK (LifeSiteNews) — A man smashed a statue of the Virgin Mary at a parish church in Queens that has suffered multiple acts of vandalism in the past two years.

In the early morning of August 1, an unidentified man was seen on video surveillance footage jumping over the fence into a courtyard belonging to St. Rita Roman Catholic Church in the Dutch Kills section of Queens in New York.

According to QNS, the man used a hammer to smash a statue of the Blessed Mother, decapitating it and causing it to fall off its pedestal. The Diocese of Brooklyn said it was the fourth act of vandalism at St. Rita’s Church since 2024.

Previous attacks on the parish church included the smashing of a stained-glass window, vandalism of a statue of St. Jude inside the church, and the defacing of a statue of St. Francis of Assisi in April when a man spray-painted the word “PAGAN” on the sidewalk in front of the statue.

The New York City Police Department Hate Crimes Task Force has opened an investigation into the case. The suspect has been described as having a light skin complexion and dark hair.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS (8477) or, for Spanish, 888-57-PISTA (74782). Citizens may also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org or on X (@NYPDTips). All calls and messages are strictly confidential.

A similar attack happened at another Catholic Church on Long Island in May. As LifeSiteNews reported at the time, parishioners at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in East Islip, New York, were shocked to discover the violent desecration of a Sacred Heart statue. The head of Jesus Christ had been severed from the statue body and later discovered in nearby bushes.]]> Our Lady statue destroyed in latest attack on New York Catholic church
Police are investigating the latest attack on St. Rita Roman Catholic Church in Queens, where a man reportedly used a hammer to destroy a statue of the Blessed Mother.

[Image: StRitaVandalism2-e1785953411240.jpeg]

Vandalized statue of Our Lady, St. Rita Roman Catholic Church, Dutch Kills section of Queens, New York.
St. Rita's Church/Diocese of Brooklyn
Aug 5, 2026
NEW YORK (LifeSiteNews) — A man smashed a statue of the Virgin Mary at a parish church in Queens that has suffered multiple acts of vandalism in the past two years.

In the early morning of August 1, an unidentified man was seen on video surveillance footage jumping over the fence into a courtyard belonging to St. Rita Roman Catholic Church in the Dutch Kills section of Queens in New York.

According to QNS, the man used a hammer to smash a statue of the Blessed Mother, decapitating it and causing it to fall off its pedestal. The Diocese of Brooklyn said it was the fourth act of vandalism at St. Rita’s Church since 2024.

Previous attacks on the parish church included the smashing of a stained-glass window, vandalism of a statue of St. Jude inside the church, and the defacing of a statue of St. Francis of Assisi in April when a man spray-painted the word “PAGAN” on the sidewalk in front of the statue.

The New York City Police Department Hate Crimes Task Force has opened an investigation into the case. The suspect has been described as having a light skin complexion and dark hair.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS (8477) or, for Spanish, 888-57-PISTA (74782). Citizens may also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org or on X (@NYPDTips). All calls and messages are strictly confidential.

A similar attack happened at another Catholic Church on Long Island in May. As LifeSiteNews reported at the time, parishioners at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in East Islip, New York, were shocked to discover the violent desecration of a Sacred Heart statue. The head of Jesus Christ had been severed from the statue body and later discovered in nearby bushes.]]> <![CDATA[Thieves take relics of St. Martin of tours from Catholic church in Germany]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/showthread.php?tid=8539 Tue, 04 Aug 2026 10:51:08 +0000 Stone]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/showthread.php?tid=8539 Thieves take relics of St. Martin of tours from Catholic church in Germany
The theft from St. Martinus Church comes as Germany continues to record the highest number of documented church arson attacks in Europe.

[Image: Untitled.png]

Catholic Church of St. Martinus in Neuss-Holzheim, Germany
Wikimedia Commons
Aug 4, 2026
(LifeSiteNews) — Burglars have stolen relics of St. Martin of Tours from a Catholic church in Germany.

The Catholic Church of St. Martinus in Neuss-Holzheim, North Rhine-Westphalia, was targeted by burglars.

As local media reported, unknown perpetrators gained access to the church through a side entrance during the night leading into July 30. Once inside, they reportedly smashed a small pane of glass at the front of the altar and stole the relics of St. Martin – the church’s patron saint – that were kept behind it. A missal was also stolen; however, according to Volker Esser, the vice chair of the parish council, it was recovered a short time later, a few streets away, found underneath a car.

The theft was not the first break-in at the church. According to German newspaper Westdeutsche Zeitung, as early as January 2023, perpetrators who remain unknown to this day had broken into the church’s sacristy, where they left behind a “scene of devastation.”

“Large holes had been smashed into some doors, wood splinters were scattered across the floor, and signs of forced entry were visible on other doors,” the newspaper reported.

At the time, the perpetrators had targeted numerous sacred objects. About six months after that break-in, some of the stolen items resurfaced under mysterious circumstances: residents discovered a monstrance and several chalices on the roof of a garage.

According to media reports, the perpetrators were likely injured during the most recent break-in after conspicuous bloodstains were found on the altar. While the material damage caused by the break-in was not particularly high, “the sentimental value certainly is,” said parish priest Andreas Süß, who expressed his shock at the crime to Westdeutsche Zeitung: “For us as a parish, it is unimaginable how anyone could break into a church. There seems to be a complete lack of respect for a house of God.”

Süß announced that he would perform a blessing of the altar. He also said that options for additional security measures are to be examined promptly.

Europe has seen an increase in attacks on churches in recent years, including burglary, vandalism and arson. According to the latest OIDAC Europe report, Germany experienced the highest number of documented arson attacks on church buildings with 33 in 2024.]]> Thieves take relics of St. Martin of tours from Catholic church in Germany
The theft from St. Martinus Church comes as Germany continues to record the highest number of documented church arson attacks in Europe.

[Image: Untitled.png]

Catholic Church of St. Martinus in Neuss-Holzheim, Germany
Wikimedia Commons
Aug 4, 2026
(LifeSiteNews) — Burglars have stolen relics of St. Martin of Tours from a Catholic church in Germany.

The Catholic Church of St. Martinus in Neuss-Holzheim, North Rhine-Westphalia, was targeted by burglars.

As local media reported, unknown perpetrators gained access to the church through a side entrance during the night leading into July 30. Once inside, they reportedly smashed a small pane of glass at the front of the altar and stole the relics of St. Martin – the church’s patron saint – that were kept behind it. A missal was also stolen; however, according to Volker Esser, the vice chair of the parish council, it was recovered a short time later, a few streets away, found underneath a car.

The theft was not the first break-in at the church. According to German newspaper Westdeutsche Zeitung, as early as January 2023, perpetrators who remain unknown to this day had broken into the church’s sacristy, where they left behind a “scene of devastation.”

“Large holes had been smashed into some doors, wood splinters were scattered across the floor, and signs of forced entry were visible on other doors,” the newspaper reported.

At the time, the perpetrators had targeted numerous sacred objects. About six months after that break-in, some of the stolen items resurfaced under mysterious circumstances: residents discovered a monstrance and several chalices on the roof of a garage.

According to media reports, the perpetrators were likely injured during the most recent break-in after conspicuous bloodstains were found on the altar. While the material damage caused by the break-in was not particularly high, “the sentimental value certainly is,” said parish priest Andreas Süß, who expressed his shock at the crime to Westdeutsche Zeitung: “For us as a parish, it is unimaginable how anyone could break into a church. There seems to be a complete lack of respect for a house of God.”

Süß announced that he would perform a blessing of the altar. He also said that options for additional security measures are to be examined promptly.

Europe has seen an increase in attacks on churches in recent years, including burglary, vandalism and arson. According to the latest OIDAC Europe report, Germany experienced the highest number of documented arson attacks on church buildings with 33 in 2024.]]> <![CDATA[‘Irish’ knifeman interrupts Rosary before Mass to stab woman]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/showthread.php?tid=8509 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 13:39:52 +0000 Stone]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/showthread.php?tid=8509
‘Irish’ knifeman interrupts Rosary before Mass to stab woman
The knifeman is said to be a stranger to the woman he attacked but not to the police.
[Image: shutterstock_2666784203-2-e1784634491556.jpg]
Holy Cross Catholic Church, Tramore, Co. Waterford
Henry Kol/Shutterstock
Jul 21, 2026
(LifeSiteNews)  — A Catholic has been badly injured by a knifeman in her church in Ireland.

The middle-aged woman, who has not been publicly identified, was stabbed by a man this morning, July 21, at around 9:45 a.m. The attack interrupted the morning recitation of the Rosary at Holy Cross Church in Tramore, County Waterford. Parishioners immediately summoned emergency services. The victim, reported as being in her 50s, was taken to hospital with serious but not life-threatening wounds.

The police apprehended a suspect, currently described as “Irish” and “in his thirties,” at a home nearby.

According to the Irish Mirror, the parish priest, Father Richard O’Halloran, called the attack “random in nature.”

“It has been a very shocking event,” he told the outlet. “However, the people and, indeed, my colleague who was there at the time responded wonderfully well. All the emergency services were called, and they looked after everything that was happening.”

The recitation of the Rosary was to be followed by the 10 a.m. Mass. The attacker is said to be a stranger to the woman he stabbed but not to the police.

The Diocese of Waterford & Lismore has released a statement saying that they are “deeply shocked by a violent incident which occurred this morning during Mass at Holy Cross Church, Tramore.”

Quote:Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured parishioner, and we pray for her full and speedy recovery.

We wish to commend the courage and presence of mind shown by the parishioners who assisted during this frightening incident. We also thank the priests of the parish for their immediate pastoral care and concern, and we express our sincere gratitude to An Garda Síochána, the National Ambulance Service and all emergency personnel for their prompt response.

We ask the people of the Diocese to pray for the injured woman, for everyone affected by this distressing incident, and for the parish community of Holy Cross, Tramore.
]]>
‘Irish’ knifeman interrupts Rosary before Mass to stab woman
The knifeman is said to be a stranger to the woman he attacked but not to the police.
[Image: shutterstock_2666784203-2-e1784634491556.jpg]
Holy Cross Catholic Church, Tramore, Co. Waterford
Henry Kol/Shutterstock
Jul 21, 2026
(LifeSiteNews)  — A Catholic has been badly injured by a knifeman in her church in Ireland.

The middle-aged woman, who has not been publicly identified, was stabbed by a man this morning, July 21, at around 9:45 a.m. The attack interrupted the morning recitation of the Rosary at Holy Cross Church in Tramore, County Waterford. Parishioners immediately summoned emergency services. The victim, reported as being in her 50s, was taken to hospital with serious but not life-threatening wounds.

The police apprehended a suspect, currently described as “Irish” and “in his thirties,” at a home nearby.

According to the Irish Mirror, the parish priest, Father Richard O’Halloran, called the attack “random in nature.”

“It has been a very shocking event,” he told the outlet. “However, the people and, indeed, my colleague who was there at the time responded wonderfully well. All the emergency services were called, and they looked after everything that was happening.”

The recitation of the Rosary was to be followed by the 10 a.m. Mass. The attacker is said to be a stranger to the woman he stabbed but not to the police.

The Diocese of Waterford & Lismore has released a statement saying that they are “deeply shocked by a violent incident which occurred this morning during Mass at Holy Cross Church, Tramore.”

Quote:Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured parishioner, and we pray for her full and speedy recovery.

We wish to commend the courage and presence of mind shown by the parishioners who assisted during this frightening incident. We also thank the priests of the parish for their immediate pastoral care and concern, and we express our sincere gratitude to An Garda Síochána, the National Ambulance Service and all emergency personnel for their prompt response.

We ask the people of the Diocese to pray for the injured woman, for everyone affected by this distressing incident, and for the parish community of Holy Cross, Tramore.
]]> <![CDATA[Naples: Man steals miter from statue of St. Januarius in Duomo; arrested outside the EU]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/showthread.php?tid=8481 Fri, 10 Jul 2026 12:04:56 +0000 Stone]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/showthread.php?tid=8481 Computer translated from the Italian:


Naples: Man steals miter from statue of St. Januarius in Duomo; arrested outside the EU

[Image: san-gennaro-napoli.jpg]


ImolaOggi.it | July 8, 2026

A 43-year-old non-EU citizen was arrested in Naples after stealing the bishop's headdress from the statue of San Gennaro in the Neapolitan Cathedral. After the alarm was raised by the caretaker, an army patrol stopped him, chasing the thief and catching him, then waiting for the Carabinieri to arrive.

The theft of the headdress of San Gennaro
The thief entered Naples Cathedral on Wednesday morning and reached one of the cathedral's altars where a bust of Saint Januarius complete with miter, the pointed bishop's headdress, is on display. The man, pretending to observe the statue, approached and grabbed the precious accessory, then quickly walked away.

The caretaker's alarm
The alarm was raised by the caretaker, who immediately alerted 112. The operations center of the Naples provincial command located the man thanks to cameras in front of the churchyard, and radioed his location to an army patrol engaged in Operation Safe Roads. The officers, following the operator's instructions, chased and stopped the 43-year-old.

The recovered heirloom
Moments later, the Carabinieri of the Naples mobile radio unit arrived and arrested the man. Once the heirloom was recovered, the 43-year-old will face charges of attempted aggravated theft and is now awaiting trial.

https://tg24.sky.it




Update:

Migrant arrested after attempting to steal St. Januarius relic in Naples
A 43-year-old foreign national faces charges of attempted aggravated theft after seizing the mitre from the bust of St. Januarius inside Naples' famed cathedral.


Jul 10, 2026
NAPLES, Italy (LifeSiteNews) — An immigrant man has been arrested after attempting to take the mitre displayed on the bust of St. Januarius inside the cathedral in Naples, Italy.

On July 8, a 43-year-old foreign national was arrested after attempting to steal the mitre displayed on the bust of St. Januarius inside Naples Cathedral. The relic was recovered within minutes through the coordinated response of the Italian Carabinieri and Army personnel serving under the “Strade Sicure” (“Safe Streets”) security operation. According to Italian authorities, the suspect will face a charge of attempted aggravated theft.

According to information released by the authorities, the man entered the cathedral alone and walked directly toward the altar where the bust of St. Januarius, the patron saint of Naples and the Campania region, is displayed. He removed the bishop’s mitre from the bust and quickly headed toward the exit before leaving the church.

The cathedral’s custodian immediately noticed what had happened and alerted Italy’s emergency services, triggering the police response.

The surveillance system installed outside the cathedral allowed operators at the Naples Provincial Carabinieri Command to identify the suspect as he moved away from the building. Army personnel stationed nearby as part of the “Strade Sicure” operation were informed of the suspect’s movements by radio and intercepted him a short distance from the cathedral.

Carabinieri officers from the Naples Radiomobile Unit arrived shortly afterward, placed the man under arrest, and recovered the mitre intact.

“The relic was recovered,” authorities confirmed after the arrest.

They added that the intervention relied on close coordination between the emergency operations centre, surveillance cameras positioned in front of the cathedral, Army personnel deployed in the area, and responding Carabinieri officers. The sequence of events – from the emergency call to the recovery of the mitre – unfolded within only a few minutes.

The thief had attempted to steal the mitre of St. Januarius, one of the principal devotional objects associated with the patron saint and former bishop of Naples. Following the recovery of the relic, devotees were reassured that it had been returned safely to the cathedral.

St. Januarius, known in Southern Italy as “San Gennaro,” is revered as the patron saint of Naples and the wider Campania region. His bust, together with its liturgical ornaments, is displayed inside Naples Cathedral, one of the city’s principal churches and a major destination for pilgrims and visitors.

The mitre on the bust of St. Januarius has immense value – artistic, historical, and devotional alike. It is not a mere ornament but a sacred jewel crafted in the 17th century, adorned with diamonds, rubies, and emeralds donated over the centuries by monarchs and faithful devotees.

It forms part of the renowned “Treasure of St. Januarius,” regarded as one of the richest collections of sacred art in the world. From an economic standpoint, the mitre’s material worth is estimated to be worth 20 million euros, or around $22.9 million.]]> Computer translated from the Italian:


Naples: Man steals miter from statue of St. Januarius in Duomo; arrested outside the EU

[Image: san-gennaro-napoli.jpg]


ImolaOggi.it | July 8, 2026

A 43-year-old non-EU citizen was arrested in Naples after stealing the bishop's headdress from the statue of San Gennaro in the Neapolitan Cathedral. After the alarm was raised by the caretaker, an army patrol stopped him, chasing the thief and catching him, then waiting for the Carabinieri to arrive.

The theft of the headdress of San Gennaro
The thief entered Naples Cathedral on Wednesday morning and reached one of the cathedral's altars where a bust of Saint Januarius complete with miter, the pointed bishop's headdress, is on display. The man, pretending to observe the statue, approached and grabbed the precious accessory, then quickly walked away.

The caretaker's alarm
The alarm was raised by the caretaker, who immediately alerted 112. The operations center of the Naples provincial command located the man thanks to cameras in front of the churchyard, and radioed his location to an army patrol engaged in Operation Safe Roads. The officers, following the operator's instructions, chased and stopped the 43-year-old.

The recovered heirloom
Moments later, the Carabinieri of the Naples mobile radio unit arrived and arrested the man. Once the heirloom was recovered, the 43-year-old will face charges of attempted aggravated theft and is now awaiting trial.

https://tg24.sky.it




Update:

Migrant arrested after attempting to steal St. Januarius relic in Naples
A 43-year-old foreign national faces charges of attempted aggravated theft after seizing the mitre from the bust of St. Januarius inside Naples' famed cathedral.


Jul 10, 2026
NAPLES, Italy (LifeSiteNews) — An immigrant man has been arrested after attempting to take the mitre displayed on the bust of St. Januarius inside the cathedral in Naples, Italy.

On July 8, a 43-year-old foreign national was arrested after attempting to steal the mitre displayed on the bust of St. Januarius inside Naples Cathedral. The relic was recovered within minutes through the coordinated response of the Italian Carabinieri and Army personnel serving under the “Strade Sicure” (“Safe Streets”) security operation. According to Italian authorities, the suspect will face a charge of attempted aggravated theft.

According to information released by the authorities, the man entered the cathedral alone and walked directly toward the altar where the bust of St. Januarius, the patron saint of Naples and the Campania region, is displayed. He removed the bishop’s mitre from the bust and quickly headed toward the exit before leaving the church.

The cathedral’s custodian immediately noticed what had happened and alerted Italy’s emergency services, triggering the police response.

The surveillance system installed outside the cathedral allowed operators at the Naples Provincial Carabinieri Command to identify the suspect as he moved away from the building. Army personnel stationed nearby as part of the “Strade Sicure” operation were informed of the suspect’s movements by radio and intercepted him a short distance from the cathedral.

Carabinieri officers from the Naples Radiomobile Unit arrived shortly afterward, placed the man under arrest, and recovered the mitre intact.

“The relic was recovered,” authorities confirmed after the arrest.

They added that the intervention relied on close coordination between the emergency operations centre, surveillance cameras positioned in front of the cathedral, Army personnel deployed in the area, and responding Carabinieri officers. The sequence of events – from the emergency call to the recovery of the mitre – unfolded within only a few minutes.

The thief had attempted to steal the mitre of St. Januarius, one of the principal devotional objects associated with the patron saint and former bishop of Naples. Following the recovery of the relic, devotees were reassured that it had been returned safely to the cathedral.

St. Januarius, known in Southern Italy as “San Gennaro,” is revered as the patron saint of Naples and the wider Campania region. His bust, together with its liturgical ornaments, is displayed inside Naples Cathedral, one of the city’s principal churches and a major destination for pilgrims and visitors.

The mitre on the bust of St. Januarius has immense value – artistic, historical, and devotional alike. It is not a mere ornament but a sacred jewel crafted in the 17th century, adorned with diamonds, rubies, and emeralds donated over the centuries by monarchs and faithful devotees.

It forms part of the renowned “Treasure of St. Januarius,” regarded as one of the richest collections of sacred art in the world. From an economic standpoint, the mitre’s material worth is estimated to be worth 20 million euros, or around $22.9 million.]]> <![CDATA[Man targets ‘Christian religious symbols’ in attack on French Catholic church, priest says]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/showthread.php?tid=8479 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 13:46:30 +0000 Stone]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/showthread.php?tid=8479 Man targets ‘Christian religious symbols’ in attack on French Catholic church, priest says
Three confessionals dating from the early 19th century were ripped open with an altar cross during a brief but violent daylight attack on a French Catholic church.

[Image: Untitled-11.png]

Church of Saint-Étienne, Mulhouse, Haut-Rhin, Alsace, France
Wikimedia Commons
Jul 7, 2026
MULHOUSE, France (LifeSiteNews) — A Catholic church in Mulhouse, France, was vandalized after a man damaged an altar cross and three confessionals before leaving the building.

On July 5, according to reports from Le Figaro and Tribune Chrétienne, a man entered Saint-Étienne Catholic Church in Mulhouse, in France’s Haut-Rhin department, and vandalized several liturgical furnishings. Notably, no property was stolen.

The church, which is open to the public each day, was empty at the time. The episode lasted about five minutes and was recorded by the church’s video surveillance system. The footage reportedly shows the suspect entering the sanctuary “in shorts, bare‑chested and barefoot,” throwing the altar cross to the floor.

According to Le Figaro, “the same individual then grabbed a vase and spilled its contents – water and flowers – onto the altar. He continued his rampage with his face fully visible, ripping open the doors of three confessionals using the cross as a crowbar.” Some of those confessionals date from the early 19th century. Thanks to the surveillance cameras, it was also possible to see that “the perpetrator fled with a second individual” who was waiting outside.

“He persisted and targeted Christian religious symbols,” said Father Pascal Boulic, parish priest of Saint-Étienne. Boulic also said that, during the five years since he arrived in Mulhouse, the p

Following the report filed by the priest on July 6, a 37‑year‑old man was arrested for vandalism. However, the president of the Grand Est region, Franck Leroy, has already cautioned in a statement that it will first be necessary to clarify “his degree of discernment at the time of the events.” The vandal’s identity has not been disclosed.

In recent months, France has witnessed a dramatic collapse of the sense of the sacred, visible both in the growing number of violent profanations against Catholic churches and in the permissive attitude of much of the clergy. In Paris last month, churches were used as venues for performances with occult or blasphemous symbolism, approved by ecclesiastical authorities, during the city’s “Nuit Blanche” exhibition.]]> Man targets ‘Christian religious symbols’ in attack on French Catholic church, priest says
Three confessionals dating from the early 19th century were ripped open with an altar cross during a brief but violent daylight attack on a French Catholic church.

[Image: Untitled-11.png]

Church of Saint-Étienne, Mulhouse, Haut-Rhin, Alsace, France
Wikimedia Commons
Jul 7, 2026
MULHOUSE, France (LifeSiteNews) — A Catholic church in Mulhouse, France, was vandalized after a man damaged an altar cross and three confessionals before leaving the building.

On July 5, according to reports from Le Figaro and Tribune Chrétienne, a man entered Saint-Étienne Catholic Church in Mulhouse, in France’s Haut-Rhin department, and vandalized several liturgical furnishings. Notably, no property was stolen.

The church, which is open to the public each day, was empty at the time. The episode lasted about five minutes and was recorded by the church’s video surveillance system. The footage reportedly shows the suspect entering the sanctuary “in shorts, bare‑chested and barefoot,” throwing the altar cross to the floor.

According to Le Figaro, “the same individual then grabbed a vase and spilled its contents – water and flowers – onto the altar. He continued his rampage with his face fully visible, ripping open the doors of three confessionals using the cross as a crowbar.” Some of those confessionals date from the early 19th century. Thanks to the surveillance cameras, it was also possible to see that “the perpetrator fled with a second individual” who was waiting outside.

“He persisted and targeted Christian religious symbols,” said Father Pascal Boulic, parish priest of Saint-Étienne. Boulic also said that, during the five years since he arrived in Mulhouse, the p

Following the report filed by the priest on July 6, a 37‑year‑old man was arrested for vandalism. However, the president of the Grand Est region, Franck Leroy, has already cautioned in a statement that it will first be necessary to clarify “his degree of discernment at the time of the events.” The vandal’s identity has not been disclosed.

In recent months, France has witnessed a dramatic collapse of the sense of the sacred, visible both in the growing number of violent profanations against Catholic churches and in the permissive attitude of much of the clergy. In Paris last month, churches were used as venues for performances with occult or blasphemous symbolism, approved by ecclesiastical authorities, during the city’s “Nuit Blanche” exhibition.]]> <![CDATA[Attacks against Christians in Israel double: spitting, assaults, and threats increase in Jerusalem]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/showthread.php?tid=8477 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 12:26:49 +0000 Stone]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/showthread.php?tid=8477 Attacks against Christians in Israel double: spitting, assaults, and threats increase in Jerusalem

[Image: Basilica_Santo_Sepolcro_Gerusalemme-900x600.jpg]

INFOVATICANA | July 8, 2026

Attacks against Christians in Israel continue to rise. During the second quarter of 2026, the recorded assaults nearly doubled compared to the first three months of the year, according to a report by the Religious Freedom Data Center, which warns of an increase in hate incidents, especially in Jerusalem.

According to the KNA news agency, 83 anti-Christian incidents were documented between April and June, compared to 44 recorded in the first quarter. Of these, ten involved threats or physical assaults. Most of the cases occurred in Jerusalem, particularly in the Old City.


Spitting and assaults in public spaces

The report notes that more than half of the reported incidents consisted of spitting directed at Christians, a practice that for years has especially affected priests, religious, and pilgrims walking the streets of Jerusalem.

In total, 68 of the 83 incidents took place in Jerusalem and 46 occurred in the Old City, where numerous Christian holy sites are concentrated.

The authors of the report warn that attacks are increasingly occurring with greater ease and in broad daylight. “Harassment and assaults are taking place more and more openly in public spaces, and the perpetrators show little restraint,” the document states.

Among the most serious cases is the assault suffered by a French nun near the Old City, who was injured in the head after a violent attack.


Holidays concentrate more incidents

The study highlights that certain events lead to an increase in assaults.

During the celebration of Jerusalem Day, a holiday in which Jewish nationalist groups commemorate the occupation of East Jerusalem after the 1967 Six-Day War with a flag march, eight attacks against Christians were recorded in a single day.

Likewise, during the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, seven other incidents were counted in a single day.


Misinformation fuels hostility

The Religious Freedom Data Center attributes part of the rise in violence to the proliferation of hate messages and disinformation campaigns on the internet against the Christian community.

The organization also denounces that the limited institutional visibility of Christianity in Jerusalem contributes to fostering a climate of hostility. In this regard, it calls on the City Council to give Christianity a public recognition similar to that received by Jewish tradition’s holidays and symbols through signs, institutional messages, and other urban elements.

According to the report, “the continued exclusion of the Christian presence from the public representation of Jerusalem directly contributes to manifestations of hostility by some Jews toward Christians.”


Proposals to curb the assaults

The organization has offered to collaborate with the Israel Defense Forces in training their personnel to prevent this type of behavior. It is also preparing informational material aimed at tour guides who accompany groups of soldiers through Jerusalem.

The report does not include attacks committed by Israeli citizens outside the country. Among them, it mentions the destruction of a statue of Jesus Christ and the desecration of an image of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon by Israeli soldiers.

Throughout 2025, the Religious Freedom Data Center documented 181 attacks against Christians in Israel, of which 150 occurred in Jerusalem, a trend that, according to data from the first half of 2026, continues to worsen.]]> Attacks against Christians in Israel double: spitting, assaults, and threats increase in Jerusalem

[Image: Basilica_Santo_Sepolcro_Gerusalemme-900x600.jpg]

INFOVATICANA | July 8, 2026

Attacks against Christians in Israel continue to rise. During the second quarter of 2026, the recorded assaults nearly doubled compared to the first three months of the year, according to a report by the Religious Freedom Data Center, which warns of an increase in hate incidents, especially in Jerusalem.

According to the KNA news agency, 83 anti-Christian incidents were documented between April and June, compared to 44 recorded in the first quarter. Of these, ten involved threats or physical assaults. Most of the cases occurred in Jerusalem, particularly in the Old City.


Spitting and assaults in public spaces

The report notes that more than half of the reported incidents consisted of spitting directed at Christians, a practice that for years has especially affected priests, religious, and pilgrims walking the streets of Jerusalem.

In total, 68 of the 83 incidents took place in Jerusalem and 46 occurred in the Old City, where numerous Christian holy sites are concentrated.

The authors of the report warn that attacks are increasingly occurring with greater ease and in broad daylight. “Harassment and assaults are taking place more and more openly in public spaces, and the perpetrators show little restraint,” the document states.

Among the most serious cases is the assault suffered by a French nun near the Old City, who was injured in the head after a violent attack.


Holidays concentrate more incidents

The study highlights that certain events lead to an increase in assaults.

During the celebration of Jerusalem Day, a holiday in which Jewish nationalist groups commemorate the occupation of East Jerusalem after the 1967 Six-Day War with a flag march, eight attacks against Christians were recorded in a single day.

Likewise, during the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, seven other incidents were counted in a single day.


Misinformation fuels hostility

The Religious Freedom Data Center attributes part of the rise in violence to the proliferation of hate messages and disinformation campaigns on the internet against the Christian community.

The organization also denounces that the limited institutional visibility of Christianity in Jerusalem contributes to fostering a climate of hostility. In this regard, it calls on the City Council to give Christianity a public recognition similar to that received by Jewish tradition’s holidays and symbols through signs, institutional messages, and other urban elements.

According to the report, “the continued exclusion of the Christian presence from the public representation of Jerusalem directly contributes to manifestations of hostility by some Jews toward Christians.”


Proposals to curb the assaults

The organization has offered to collaborate with the Israel Defense Forces in training their personnel to prevent this type of behavior. It is also preparing informational material aimed at tour guides who accompany groups of soldiers through Jerusalem.

The report does not include attacks committed by Israeli citizens outside the country. Among them, it mentions the destruction of a statue of Jesus Christ and the desecration of an image of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon by Israeli soldiers.

Throughout 2025, the Religious Freedom Data Center documented 181 attacks against Christians in Israel, of which 150 occurred in Jerusalem, a trend that, according to data from the first half of 2026, continues to worsen.]]> <![CDATA[Historic Catholic convent near St. Patrick’s tomb devastated by ‘deliberate’ fire]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/showthread.php?tid=8444 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 10:23:16 +0000 Stone]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/showthread.php?tid=8444 Historic Catholic convent near St. Patrick’s tomb devastated by ‘deliberate’ fire
Someone set ablaze the former Convent of Mercy in an arson attack on Sunday, according to local authorities,
just hours after a priestly ordination in the adjacent church.


Jun 29, 2026
DOWNPATRICK, Northern Ireland (LifeSiteNews) — The 150-year-old former Convent of Our Lady of Mercy in Northern Ireland was deliberately set on fire Sunday, the local fire department announced.

In a June 29 statement, the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRs) announced that over 70 firefighters from multiple departments had extinguished a massive fire the previous evening at the currently unused Convent of Mercy, which they believe was started through a “deliberate ignition.” The fire was put out before it could reach the adjacent St. Patrick Church, but it badly damaged the former convent’s building.

“Our Firefighters worked tirelessly throughout the duration of the incident to ensure that the fire was brought under control and extinguished,” NIFRs said in its statement.

“We would like to thank the public for their patience whilst we dealt with the incident. “The cause of the fire is believed to have been deliberate ignition, and the incident was dealt with by 10.03am.”

In a statement of its own following the fire, the Downpatrick Family of parishes, which includes St. Patrick’s, expressed gratitude for the firefighters’ efforts to not only extinguish the fire but to stop it from spreading to the church. The parish also lamented the fact that the old convent building was damaged, especially within 24 hours of a priestly ordination taking place inside St. Patrick’s Church.

The church and former convent are located just minutes from the tomb of Ireland’s patron saint, St. Patrick.

“We are relieved that the fire which destroyed the old convent last night was prevented by the heroism and skill of the Northern Ireland Fire Service from reaching St Patrick’s Church. Fire fighters worked through the night to protect St Patrick’s and to them we owe an enormous debt of gratitude,” the parish wrote in a Facebook post.

“Coming at the end of a wonderful day in the life of the parish family – the Ordination to the Priesthood of Fr Thomas Hampton – when the parish came together in a tremendous act of hospitality and welcome, it is particularly sad that so beautiful a building has been destroyed,” they added. “Let us be thankful that no lives were lost. And remind ourselves of the indelible influence for good in Downpatrick of the Mercy Order whose sisters have graced this parish for over 150 years.”

https://www.facebook.com/stpatricksdownp...6822026838]]> Historic Catholic convent near St. Patrick’s tomb devastated by ‘deliberate’ fire
Someone set ablaze the former Convent of Mercy in an arson attack on Sunday, according to local authorities,
just hours after a priestly ordination in the adjacent church.


Jun 29, 2026
DOWNPATRICK, Northern Ireland (LifeSiteNews) — The 150-year-old former Convent of Our Lady of Mercy in Northern Ireland was deliberately set on fire Sunday, the local fire department announced.

In a June 29 statement, the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRs) announced that over 70 firefighters from multiple departments had extinguished a massive fire the previous evening at the currently unused Convent of Mercy, which they believe was started through a “deliberate ignition.” The fire was put out before it could reach the adjacent St. Patrick Church, but it badly damaged the former convent’s building.

“Our Firefighters worked tirelessly throughout the duration of the incident to ensure that the fire was brought under control and extinguished,” NIFRs said in its statement.

“We would like to thank the public for their patience whilst we dealt with the incident. “The cause of the fire is believed to have been deliberate ignition, and the incident was dealt with by 10.03am.”

In a statement of its own following the fire, the Downpatrick Family of parishes, which includes St. Patrick’s, expressed gratitude for the firefighters’ efforts to not only extinguish the fire but to stop it from spreading to the church. The parish also lamented the fact that the old convent building was damaged, especially within 24 hours of a priestly ordination taking place inside St. Patrick’s Church.

The church and former convent are located just minutes from the tomb of Ireland’s patron saint, St. Patrick.

“We are relieved that the fire which destroyed the old convent last night was prevented by the heroism and skill of the Northern Ireland Fire Service from reaching St Patrick’s Church. Fire fighters worked through the night to protect St Patrick’s and to them we owe an enormous debt of gratitude,” the parish wrote in a Facebook post.

“Coming at the end of a wonderful day in the life of the parish family – the Ordination to the Priesthood of Fr Thomas Hampton – when the parish came together in a tremendous act of hospitality and welcome, it is particularly sad that so beautiful a building has been destroyed,” they added. “Let us be thankful that no lives were lost. And remind ourselves of the indelible influence for good in Downpatrick of the Mercy Order whose sisters have graced this parish for over 150 years.”

https://www.facebook.com/stpatricksdownp...6822026838]]> <![CDATA[Blessed Sacrament Stolen in France]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/showthread.php?tid=8402 Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:58:55 +0000 Stone]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/showthread.php?tid=8402 gloria.tv June 20, 2026:

Blessed Sacrament Stolen in France: The parish church of Mugron in southwestern France, Diocese of Aire and Dax, was targeted in a theft between June 14 and 17. The missing items include all hosts reserved in the tabernacle and multiple chalices. An investigation is underway. A Eucharist of reparation is expected to be celebrated in the coming days.


Original article in French:

Quote:Publié le 19 juin 2026

[ Landes] Profanation à l’église de Mugron : calices, patènes et Saint-Sacrement dérobés

Selon des fidèles joints sur place , le Saint-Sacrement et l’ensemble des hosties conservées dans le tabernacle ont également disparu
L’église de Mugron, dans les Landes, a été victime d’un vol particulièrement grave entre le 14 et le 17 juin. Plusieurs objets liturgiques ont été dérobés au sein de la sacristie de l’édifice religieux. Le premier bilan fait état de la disparition de onze objets, dont huit calices. Mais selon des fidèles joints sur place par Tribune Chrétienne, le préjudice est en réalité bien plus important. D’après leurs témoignages, plusieurs patènes ont également été dérobées. Plus grave encore, le Saint-Sacrement a été emporté, tout comme l’ensemble des hosties conservées dans le tabernacle.

L’église de Mugron appartient au diocèse d’Aire-et-Dax, dirigé par Monseigneur Nicolas Souchu. Joint par téléphone ce jeudi après-midi, le diocèse ainsi que son responsable de la communication, Paul Perromat, ne semblaient pas encore avoir connaissance de tous les éléments de l’affaire.

Selon les mêmes sources, le curé de la paroisse est profondément bouleversé par les faits. Face à la gravité de cette profanation, il devrait porter plainte afin que la disparition du Saint-Sacrement, des hosties consacrées et des autres objets liturgiques soit pleinement prise en compte dans l’enquête.

Pour les catholiques, la disparition du Saint-Sacrement constitue une atteinte d’une gravité exceptionnelle. L’Église enseigne en effet la Présence Réelle du Christ dans l’Eucharistie. Le vol des hosties consacrées dépasse ainsi la seule dimension matérielle et touche directement au cœur de la foi catholique. Une messe de réparation devrait être célébrée dans les prochains jours à la suite de cette profanation. Au moment de la publication de cet article, les fidèles étaient encore dans l’attente de la communication officielle du jour et de l’heure de cette célébration.

De jour en jour, d’incendie en profanation, de vols en actes de vandalisme, les catholiques français ont le sentiment d’assister à une lente dégradation de leur patrimoine religieux et spirituel. Chaque semaine ou presque apporte son lot de nouvelles atteintes visant des églises, des chapelles, des calvaires ou des objets consacrés. Ici une statue brisée, là un tabernacle forcé, ailleurs un incendie criminel ou un vol d’objets liturgiques. Pris isolément, ces faits peuvent sembler anecdotiques. Mis bout à bout, ils dessinent pourtant un tableau inquiétant.Pour de nombreux fidèles, cette succession d’attaques constitue un véritable chemin de croix. Car derrière les pierres, les vitraux ou les objets sacrés, ce sont des communautés entières qui se sentent blessées. Une église n’est pas seulement un bâtiment patrimonial. Elle est un lieu où l’on prie, où l’on baptise ses enfants, où l’on célèbre les mariages et où l’on accompagne les défunts.

Lorsqu’elle est profanée ou dépouillée, c’est une part de la mémoire chrétienne locale qui est atteinte, c’est Le Christ Lui-même qui est blessé.


Computer translation into English:

Desecration at the church of Mugron: chalices, patens and Blessed Sacrament stolen

[Image: EML-rp64tn26yz6mfi30glj24znhujab0bxp2ay49uvu2w.png]

Facade of Mugron Church - (Street View)

According to faithful contacted on site, the Blessed Sacrament and all the hosts kept in the tabernacle have also disappeared
The church of Mugron, in the Landes, was the victim of a particularly serious theft between June 14 and 17. Several liturgical objects were stolen from the sacristy of the religious building. The first report shows the disappearance of eleven objects, including eight chalices. But according to faithful contacted on site by Christian Tribune, the harm is actually much greater. According to their testimonies, several patens were also stolen. Even more serious, the Blessed Sacrament was taken away, as were all the hosts kept in the tabernacle.

The church of Mugron belongs to the diocese of Aire-et-Dax, led by Monsignor Nicolas Souchu. Reached by telephone this Thursday afternoon, the diocese as well as its communications manager, Paul Perromat, did not yet seem to be aware of all the elements of the affair.

According to the same sources, the parish priest is deeply upset by the facts. Faced with the seriousness of this desecration, he should file a complaint so that the disappearance of the Blessed Sacrament, consecrated hosts and other liturgical objects is fully taken into account in the investigation.

For Catholics, the disappearance of the Blessed Sacrament constitutes an attack of exceptional seriousness. The Church in fact teaches the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The theft of consecrated hosts thus goes beyond the material dimension alone and directly touches the heart of the Catholic faith. A reparation mass should be celebrated in the coming days following this desecration. At the time of publication of this article, the faithful were still awaiting official communication of the day and time of this celebration.

Day by day, from fire to desecration, from theft to acts of vandalism, French Catholics have the feeling of witnessing a slow degradation of their religious and spiritual heritage. Almost every week brings its share of new attacks targeting churches, chapels, calvaries or consecrated objects. Here a broken statue, there a forced tabernacle, elsewhere an arson or theft of liturgical objects. Taken in isolation, these facts may seem anecdotal. Put end to end, they nevertheless paint a worrying picture. For many faithful, this succession of attacks constitutes a real way of the cross. Because behind the stones, stained glass windows or sacred objects, entire communities feel hurt. A church is not just a heritage building. It is a place where we pray,where we baptize our children, where we celebrate marriages and where we accompany the deceased.

When it is desecrated or stripped, it is a part of the local Christian memory that is affected, it is Christ Himself who is wounded.]]> gloria.tv June 20, 2026:

Blessed Sacrament Stolen in France: The parish church of Mugron in southwestern France, Diocese of Aire and Dax, was targeted in a theft between June 14 and 17. The missing items include all hosts reserved in the tabernacle and multiple chalices. An investigation is underway. A Eucharist of reparation is expected to be celebrated in the coming days.


Original article in French:

Quote:Publié le 19 juin 2026

[ Landes] Profanation à l’église de Mugron : calices, patènes et Saint-Sacrement dérobés

Selon des fidèles joints sur place , le Saint-Sacrement et l’ensemble des hosties conservées dans le tabernacle ont également disparu
L’église de Mugron, dans les Landes, a été victime d’un vol particulièrement grave entre le 14 et le 17 juin. Plusieurs objets liturgiques ont été dérobés au sein de la sacristie de l’édifice religieux. Le premier bilan fait état de la disparition de onze objets, dont huit calices. Mais selon des fidèles joints sur place par Tribune Chrétienne, le préjudice est en réalité bien plus important. D’après leurs témoignages, plusieurs patènes ont également été dérobées. Plus grave encore, le Saint-Sacrement a été emporté, tout comme l’ensemble des hosties conservées dans le tabernacle.

L’église de Mugron appartient au diocèse d’Aire-et-Dax, dirigé par Monseigneur Nicolas Souchu. Joint par téléphone ce jeudi après-midi, le diocèse ainsi que son responsable de la communication, Paul Perromat, ne semblaient pas encore avoir connaissance de tous les éléments de l’affaire.

Selon les mêmes sources, le curé de la paroisse est profondément bouleversé par les faits. Face à la gravité de cette profanation, il devrait porter plainte afin que la disparition du Saint-Sacrement, des hosties consacrées et des autres objets liturgiques soit pleinement prise en compte dans l’enquête.

Pour les catholiques, la disparition du Saint-Sacrement constitue une atteinte d’une gravité exceptionnelle. L’Église enseigne en effet la Présence Réelle du Christ dans l’Eucharistie. Le vol des hosties consacrées dépasse ainsi la seule dimension matérielle et touche directement au cœur de la foi catholique. Une messe de réparation devrait être célébrée dans les prochains jours à la suite de cette profanation. Au moment de la publication de cet article, les fidèles étaient encore dans l’attente de la communication officielle du jour et de l’heure de cette célébration.

De jour en jour, d’incendie en profanation, de vols en actes de vandalisme, les catholiques français ont le sentiment d’assister à une lente dégradation de leur patrimoine religieux et spirituel. Chaque semaine ou presque apporte son lot de nouvelles atteintes visant des églises, des chapelles, des calvaires ou des objets consacrés. Ici une statue brisée, là un tabernacle forcé, ailleurs un incendie criminel ou un vol d’objets liturgiques. Pris isolément, ces faits peuvent sembler anecdotiques. Mis bout à bout, ils dessinent pourtant un tableau inquiétant.Pour de nombreux fidèles, cette succession d’attaques constitue un véritable chemin de croix. Car derrière les pierres, les vitraux ou les objets sacrés, ce sont des communautés entières qui se sentent blessées. Une église n’est pas seulement un bâtiment patrimonial. Elle est un lieu où l’on prie, où l’on baptise ses enfants, où l’on célèbre les mariages et où l’on accompagne les défunts.

Lorsqu’elle est profanée ou dépouillée, c’est une part de la mémoire chrétienne locale qui est atteinte, c’est Le Christ Lui-même qui est blessé.


Computer translation into English:

Desecration at the church of Mugron: chalices, patens and Blessed Sacrament stolen

[Image: EML-rp64tn26yz6mfi30glj24znhujab0bxp2ay49uvu2w.png]

Facade of Mugron Church - (Street View)

According to faithful contacted on site, the Blessed Sacrament and all the hosts kept in the tabernacle have also disappeared
The church of Mugron, in the Landes, was the victim of a particularly serious theft between June 14 and 17. Several liturgical objects were stolen from the sacristy of the religious building. The first report shows the disappearance of eleven objects, including eight chalices. But according to faithful contacted on site by Christian Tribune, the harm is actually much greater. According to their testimonies, several patens were also stolen. Even more serious, the Blessed Sacrament was taken away, as were all the hosts kept in the tabernacle.

The church of Mugron belongs to the diocese of Aire-et-Dax, led by Monsignor Nicolas Souchu. Reached by telephone this Thursday afternoon, the diocese as well as its communications manager, Paul Perromat, did not yet seem to be aware of all the elements of the affair.

According to the same sources, the parish priest is deeply upset by the facts. Faced with the seriousness of this desecration, he should file a complaint so that the disappearance of the Blessed Sacrament, consecrated hosts and other liturgical objects is fully taken into account in the investigation.

For Catholics, the disappearance of the Blessed Sacrament constitutes an attack of exceptional seriousness. The Church in fact teaches the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The theft of consecrated hosts thus goes beyond the material dimension alone and directly touches the heart of the Catholic faith. A reparation mass should be celebrated in the coming days following this desecration. At the time of publication of this article, the faithful were still awaiting official communication of the day and time of this celebration.

Day by day, from fire to desecration, from theft to acts of vandalism, French Catholics have the feeling of witnessing a slow degradation of their religious and spiritual heritage. Almost every week brings its share of new attacks targeting churches, chapels, calvaries or consecrated objects. Here a broken statue, there a forced tabernacle, elsewhere an arson or theft of liturgical objects. Taken in isolation, these facts may seem anecdotal. Put end to end, they nevertheless paint a worrying picture. For many faithful, this succession of attacks constitutes a real way of the cross. Because behind the stones, stained glass windows or sacred objects, entire communities feel hurt. A church is not just a heritage building. It is a place where we pray,where we baptize our children, where we celebrate marriages and where we accompany the deceased.

When it is desecrated or stripped, it is a part of the local Christian memory that is affected, it is Christ Himself who is wounded.]]> <![CDATA[Two historic Catholic sites gutted by fires in a single day]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/showthread.php?tid=8398 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:45:06 +0000 Stone]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/showthread.php?tid=8398 Two historic Catholic sites gutted by fires in a single day
Separate fires tore through Brittany's Sainte-Anne Chapel and Condom Cathedral's cloister in Gers just hours apart on June 12,
 destroying volumes of historic Catholic archives.

[Image: Untitled-30.png]

Chapel of Sainte-Anne-des-Rochers in Brittany, France, following the fire
Wikimedia Commons

Jun 17, 2026
(LifeSiteNews) — Two major fires struck a chapel in Brittany and a cathedral cloister in southwestern France, causing extensive damage to the historic Catholic heritage sites.

On June 12, two separate fires severely damaged the Sainte-Anne Chapel in Trégastel, Brittany, and the former cloister of Condom Cathedral in Gers within hours of one another. The incidents resulted in the destruction of large sections of the historic buildings and the loss of archival material. Investigations into the causes are ongoing.

“For the moment, we are above all very sad,” Trégastel Mayor Annie Macé said, according to a report by Tribune Chrétienne, summarizing local reaction to the loss.

The first fire broke out in the early afternoon at the Sainte-Anne-des-Rochers Chapel in Trégastel, located in the Côtes-d’Armor department of Brittany. The blaze rapidly spread through the roof of the 17th  century building, causing extensive damage. Approximately 75 percent of the roof was destroyed, with part of the timber framework collapsing during the fire.

Thirty-two firefighters from several emergency centers in the region responded to the incident. They fought the fire for more than an hour using four hoses, including one mounted on an aerial ladder. Fire crews remained on site into the evening to extinguish remaining hotspots beneath the debris.

Despite the scale of the damage, all artwork and liturgical objects housed inside the chapel were successfully removed and preserved. Firefighters evacuated statues, including three protected as historic monuments, before municipal services took custody of the rescued items.

The chapel, built in 1635 and dedicated to Saint Anne, patroness of Brittany, already suffered structural defects. The building had been closed to the public since March 2026 over concerns about the condition of its timber framework.

Several witnesses reported different observations concerning the possible origin of the fire. Some suggested that flames first appeared on one side of the building, while others pointed to the belfry. Authorities have not reached any conclusion, and a gendarmerie investigation has been opened to determine the exact circumstances of the incident.

Later the same day, another major fire struck the media library housed within the former cloister of the Cathedral of Condom in the Gers department of southwestern France.

During the initial stages of the fire, flames reportedly rose more than 23 feet into the air, causing significant damage to the cathedral complex and resulting in the destruction of part of the city’s archival holdings. Among the losses were historic volumes dating back to the 16th century.

The two fires occurred independently of one another, and no connection between the incidents has been reported. In both cases, investigators are still working to establish the causes of the fires.

The events have drawn attention to the condition of religious heritage sites across France. Local officials, preservation associations, and heritage specialists have for years expressed concern about the maintenance challenges facing many churches, chapels, and other historic religious buildings, particularly in smaller municipalities where restoration costs can exceed available resources.

French heritage advocate Stéphane Bern recently called for greater support for rural religious monuments. “One finds €900 million for Notre-Dame, but one cannot find the first €1,000 for the churches of our countryside. An emergency plan must be implemented to save the religious heritage of rural France,” he said.]]> Two historic Catholic sites gutted by fires in a single day
Separate fires tore through Brittany's Sainte-Anne Chapel and Condom Cathedral's cloister in Gers just hours apart on June 12,
 destroying volumes of historic Catholic archives.

[Image: Untitled-30.png]

Chapel of Sainte-Anne-des-Rochers in Brittany, France, following the fire
Wikimedia Commons

Jun 17, 2026
(LifeSiteNews) — Two major fires struck a chapel in Brittany and a cathedral cloister in southwestern France, causing extensive damage to the historic Catholic heritage sites.

On June 12, two separate fires severely damaged the Sainte-Anne Chapel in Trégastel, Brittany, and the former cloister of Condom Cathedral in Gers within hours of one another. The incidents resulted in the destruction of large sections of the historic buildings and the loss of archival material. Investigations into the causes are ongoing.

“For the moment, we are above all very sad,” Trégastel Mayor Annie Macé said, according to a report by Tribune Chrétienne, summarizing local reaction to the loss.

The first fire broke out in the early afternoon at the Sainte-Anne-des-Rochers Chapel in Trégastel, located in the Côtes-d’Armor department of Brittany. The blaze rapidly spread through the roof of the 17th  century building, causing extensive damage. Approximately 75 percent of the roof was destroyed, with part of the timber framework collapsing during the fire.

Thirty-two firefighters from several emergency centers in the region responded to the incident. They fought the fire for more than an hour using four hoses, including one mounted on an aerial ladder. Fire crews remained on site into the evening to extinguish remaining hotspots beneath the debris.

Despite the scale of the damage, all artwork and liturgical objects housed inside the chapel were successfully removed and preserved. Firefighters evacuated statues, including three protected as historic monuments, before municipal services took custody of the rescued items.

The chapel, built in 1635 and dedicated to Saint Anne, patroness of Brittany, already suffered structural defects. The building had been closed to the public since March 2026 over concerns about the condition of its timber framework.

Several witnesses reported different observations concerning the possible origin of the fire. Some suggested that flames first appeared on one side of the building, while others pointed to the belfry. Authorities have not reached any conclusion, and a gendarmerie investigation has been opened to determine the exact circumstances of the incident.

Later the same day, another major fire struck the media library housed within the former cloister of the Cathedral of Condom in the Gers department of southwestern France.

During the initial stages of the fire, flames reportedly rose more than 23 feet into the air, causing significant damage to the cathedral complex and resulting in the destruction of part of the city’s archival holdings. Among the losses were historic volumes dating back to the 16th century.

The two fires occurred independently of one another, and no connection between the incidents has been reported. In both cases, investigators are still working to establish the causes of the fires.

The events have drawn attention to the condition of religious heritage sites across France. Local officials, preservation associations, and heritage specialists have for years expressed concern about the maintenance challenges facing many churches, chapels, and other historic religious buildings, particularly in smaller municipalities where restoration costs can exceed available resources.

French heritage advocate Stéphane Bern recently called for greater support for rural religious monuments. “One finds €900 million for Notre-Dame, but one cannot find the first €1,000 for the churches of our countryside. An emergency plan must be implemented to save the religious heritage of rural France,” he said.]]> <![CDATA[Israeli soldier desecrates statue of Blessed Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/showthread.php?tid=8262 Fri, 08 May 2026 11:52:50 +0000 Stone]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/showthread.php?tid=8262 <![CDATA[Belgian TV segment shows people destroying statues of Our Lord, Our Lady]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/showthread.php?tid=8118 Wed, 25 Mar 2026 10:43:02 +0000 Stone]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/showthread.php?tid=8118 <![CDATA[Vandals desecrate Catholic school in California]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/showthread.php?tid=7954 Wed, 04 Feb 2026 11:30:03 +0000 Stone]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/showthread.php?tid=7954 <![CDATA[Man desecrates altar, Blessed Sacrament inside St. Peter’s Basilica]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/showthread.php?tid=7903 Thu, 22 Jan 2026 18:38:11 +0000 Stone]]> https://staging.thecatacombs.org/showthread.php?tid=7903 Man desecrates altar, Blessed Sacrament inside St. Peter’s Basilica
The January 17 profanation follows a series of desecrations that have occurred inside St. Peter's Basilica in recent times.

[Image: Shutterstock_1658152387.jpg]

St. Peter's Basilica
Shutterstock
Jan 21, 2026
VATICAN CITY (LifeSiteNews [slightly adapted, not all hyperlinks included from original]) — A man desecrated the altar of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in St. Peter’s Basilica, prompting an immediate rite of reparation.

On Saturday, an unidentified man climbed onto the altar of the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament inside St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City and violently threw candlesticks, the monstrance, and the altar cross to the ground in front of worshippers gathered for prayer, an act considered particularly serious because the Blessed Sacrament was exposed for perpetual adoration. Authorities carried out an immediate penitential rite of reparation in accordance with canon law.

“A rite of reparation was celebrated immediately after the profanation,” a witness told journalist Nico Spuntoni. However, security tried to cover up what had happened.

The man reportedly managed to reach the altar and knock down the liturgical furnishings before being stopped. The Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament is one of the most sensitive areas of the basilica, as it is reserved for Eucharistic adoration during daytime hours, meaning that the consecrated Host is exposed.

Spuntoni confirmed to LifeSiteNews that, according to the witness, the incident would have taken place in the early afternoon. Although there is no certainty on this point and authorities are evasive on the issue, it is highly likely that the desecration occurred while the Blessed Sacrament was exposed. According to the adoration schedule published on the website of St. Peter’s Basilica, on Saturdays adoration is uninterrupted until the Eucharistic blessing at 6:45 p.m.

Under the Code of Canon Law, when a sacred place or altar is gravely violated, the celebration of the liturgy is not permitted until a penitential rite of reparation has been performed (see can. 1211). The witness cited by Spuntoni stated that this rite was celebrated immediately following the incident, restoring the chapel for worship.

The January 17 profanation follows a series of desecrations that have occurred inside St. Peter’s Basilica in recent times. On June 1, 2023, a naked man climbed onto the Altar of the Confession inside the basilica and shouted a pro-Ukraine message.

On February 7, 2025, a Romanian citizen climbed onto the same altar, threw candlesticks to the ground and removed the altar cloth. On that occasion, however, no penitential rite was carried out.

On October 10, 2025, another drunk man carried out what was described as a grave profanation at the same altar by stripping naked and urinating in front of those present. As for this most serious case, Silere non possum reported that an immediate rite of reparation was not initially planned. According to the same source, direct intervention by Pope Leo XIV was required in order for Cardinal Mauro Gambetti to celebrate a reparatory rite without delay.

Multiple witnesses to these acts of vandalism have stated that, on several occasions, members of the Vatican staff known as sampietrini and officers of the Vatican Gendarmerie instructed people present, including tourists, to delete videos recorded on their mobile phones and to remain silent. Despite these instructions, information about these incidents have circulated online.

Outside St. Peter’s Basilica, security is provided by the Italian State Police, which maintains a constant presence in St. Peter’s Square. Inside the basilica, security falls under Vatican jurisdiction. In recent years, security in St. Peter’s appears to have been significantly reduced. According to reports carried out over the years by Silere non possum, the responsibility would lie with “an incompetent and nepotistic management of resources: many sampietrini have been removed from the Basilica and reassigned to office positions within the Fabric of Saint Peter.”

Responsibility for the internal governance of St. Peter’s Basilica lies with Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, an Italian Conventual Franciscan. He serves as archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter, vicar general of the Pope for Vatican City State, and president of the Fabric of St. Peter. Gambetti was created cardinal by Pope Francis in 2020.

Gambetti has been at the center of several controversies. Since 2023, following the implementation of Pope Francis’s motu proprio Traditionis Custodes, he has not permitted participants in the annual traditional pilgrimage Summorum Pontificum to celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass inside St. Peter’s Basilica, allowing only a brief liturgical service instead.]]> Man desecrates altar, Blessed Sacrament inside St. Peter’s Basilica
The January 17 profanation follows a series of desecrations that have occurred inside St. Peter's Basilica in recent times.

[Image: Shutterstock_1658152387.jpg]

St. Peter's Basilica
Shutterstock
Jan 21, 2026
VATICAN CITY (LifeSiteNews [slightly adapted, not all hyperlinks included from original]) — A man desecrated the altar of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in St. Peter’s Basilica, prompting an immediate rite of reparation.

On Saturday, an unidentified man climbed onto the altar of the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament inside St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City and violently threw candlesticks, the monstrance, and the altar cross to the ground in front of worshippers gathered for prayer, an act considered particularly serious because the Blessed Sacrament was exposed for perpetual adoration. Authorities carried out an immediate penitential rite of reparation in accordance with canon law.

“A rite of reparation was celebrated immediately after the profanation,” a witness told journalist Nico Spuntoni. However, security tried to cover up what had happened.

The man reportedly managed to reach the altar and knock down the liturgical furnishings before being stopped. The Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament is one of the most sensitive areas of the basilica, as it is reserved for Eucharistic adoration during daytime hours, meaning that the consecrated Host is exposed.

Spuntoni confirmed to LifeSiteNews that, according to the witness, the incident would have taken place in the early afternoon. Although there is no certainty on this point and authorities are evasive on the issue, it is highly likely that the desecration occurred while the Blessed Sacrament was exposed. According to the adoration schedule published on the website of St. Peter’s Basilica, on Saturdays adoration is uninterrupted until the Eucharistic blessing at 6:45 p.m.

Under the Code of Canon Law, when a sacred place or altar is gravely violated, the celebration of the liturgy is not permitted until a penitential rite of reparation has been performed (see can. 1211). The witness cited by Spuntoni stated that this rite was celebrated immediately following the incident, restoring the chapel for worship.

The January 17 profanation follows a series of desecrations that have occurred inside St. Peter’s Basilica in recent times. On June 1, 2023, a naked man climbed onto the Altar of the Confession inside the basilica and shouted a pro-Ukraine message.

On February 7, 2025, a Romanian citizen climbed onto the same altar, threw candlesticks to the ground and removed the altar cloth. On that occasion, however, no penitential rite was carried out.

On October 10, 2025, another drunk man carried out what was described as a grave profanation at the same altar by stripping naked and urinating in front of those present. As for this most serious case, Silere non possum reported that an immediate rite of reparation was not initially planned. According to the same source, direct intervention by Pope Leo XIV was required in order for Cardinal Mauro Gambetti to celebrate a reparatory rite without delay.

Multiple witnesses to these acts of vandalism have stated that, on several occasions, members of the Vatican staff known as sampietrini and officers of the Vatican Gendarmerie instructed people present, including tourists, to delete videos recorded on their mobile phones and to remain silent. Despite these instructions, information about these incidents have circulated online.

Outside St. Peter’s Basilica, security is provided by the Italian State Police, which maintains a constant presence in St. Peter’s Square. Inside the basilica, security falls under Vatican jurisdiction. In recent years, security in St. Peter’s appears to have been significantly reduced. According to reports carried out over the years by Silere non possum, the responsibility would lie with “an incompetent and nepotistic management of resources: many sampietrini have been removed from the Basilica and reassigned to office positions within the Fabric of Saint Peter.”

Responsibility for the internal governance of St. Peter’s Basilica lies with Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, an Italian Conventual Franciscan. He serves as archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter, vicar general of the Pope for Vatican City State, and president of the Fabric of St. Peter. Gambetti was created cardinal by Pope Francis in 2020.

Gambetti has been at the center of several controversies. Since 2023, following the implementation of Pope Francis’s motu proprio Traditionis Custodes, he has not permitted participants in the annual traditional pilgrimage Summorum Pontificum to celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass inside St. Peter’s Basilica, allowing only a brief liturgical service instead.]]>