Intruders desecrate tabernacle at Guitiriz church, scatter hosts and steal chalice
The Diocese of Mondoñedo-Ferrol has condemned the desecration of the tabernacle at the church of the Sagrado Corazón de María in Guitiriz, Lugo, and called a Mass of reparation for September 29
Unidentified intruders desecrated the tabernacle of the parish church of the Sagrado Corazón de María in Guitiriz, in the province of Lugo in northwestern Spain, at midday last Saturday. The Diocese of Mondoñedo-Ferrol called the act "very serious" and "a direct affront to the Eucharist." Those responsible forced the tabernacle lock, took out the ciborium and scattered the consecrated hosts across the town square. A silver chalice was stolen.
The diocese issued a statement expressing its "strongest condemnation" of what happened, saying that desecration of this kind wounds the religious feelings of Catholics and of the whole parish community. Under Catholic doctrine, desecration of the eucharistic species is a grave offense against the sacrament, since it involves the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The case also touches on the fundamental right to religious freedom.
The authorities have been informed and have opened an investigation to identify those responsible. The bishop of Mondoñedo-Ferrol, Fernando García Cadiñanos, has invited the faithful of Guitiriz and anyone else who wishes to take part to a Mass of reparation. The Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 29, at 8 p.m. in the same church.
García Cadiñanos said the purpose of the Mass is to repair, through prayer and the celebration of the faith, the harm done to the church, and to reaffirm respect for sacred places and for the religious feelings of the community.
