Vatican condemns demonstrators' vandalism of church in Rome
October 17, 2011
The Vatican issued a statement denouncing the mob violence that broke out in Rome over the weekend, and especially the acts of vandalism at a Catholic church.
Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press office, issued a statement that “condemned the violence and the fact that a church was desecrated by some protesters who broke in and destroyed some images.”
Photos and videos from the protests in Rome—organized to protest the international financial system—showed demonstrators smashing a statue of the Virgin Mary that had been taken from the church of Sts. Marcellinus and Peter. The church is located a few blocks from the Lateran basilica, which had been a focal point of the demonstrations.
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Posted by: mgreen32234 -
Oct. 18, 2011 9:40 AM ET USA
The video I saw had a man with a black face hood coming out of the Church with the statue, body slamming it into the ground, and stomping on it for good measure. Priest holes next?
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Posted by: -
Oct. 17, 2011 11:15 PM ET USA
Let's hope the Church steps up security. I can't say I am at all surprised this has happened.
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Posted by: ColmCille -
Oct. 17, 2011 7:05 PM ET USA
Let us make acts of reparation for the desecration of this church and of the image of our Blessed Mother. The Five First Saturdays devotion would be appropriate, as it's specific purpose is reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary. And let us pray and make acts of reparation for the protesters in general, for their conversion and salvation.
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Posted by: AgnesDay -
Oct. 17, 2011 6:13 PM ET USA
Interesting. The Lateran Basilica is the Holy Father's own church. As Fr. Sarducci frequently observed: "...Coincidenza?"
