Four intruders vandalised the parish church of San Paolo della Croce in
Rome's Portuense-Corviale district on Wednesday afternoon before being
stopped by the assistant priest.
The Diocese of Rome said damage
included oil overturned onto the altar, staining the liturgical cloth;
pen markings on the same cloth; the glass of a small Madonna image
smashed; catechism rooms defaced; and human excrement left on bathroom
floors.
The group slipped in while the church was largely empty.
They fled after the assistant priest heard suspicious noises and
confronted them.
Police spent several hours collecting forensic
evidence. The church remained closed for the rest of the afternoon. No
arrests have been announced.
Auxiliary Bishop Stefano Sparapani described the episode as "an obvious expression of youth disaffection."
The Diocese stated that Rev Giacobbe Elia, who described the attack as premeditated and spiritually motivated, is neither incardinated in the Diocese of Rome nor serves as a diocesan exorcist.
The incident follows similar attacks on churches in Rome, including at Santa Maria degli Angeli and San Nicola di Bari in Ostia.
Picture: © diocesidiroma.it, #newsRobzkmybln