Italian bishops issue guidelines to prevent theft of religious art
December 18, 2014
Following the nighttime theft of a Guercino painting from a church in Modena, the Italian bishops’ conference, joined by Italy’s culture ministry and national military police, has issued guidelines designed to protect religious art.
“We have a duty to a precious artistic heritage that is centuries old and absolutely priceless," said General Mariano Mossa of the Carabinieri, or national military police.
The guidelines call for “more video surveillance, reduced opening hours, replacing original art works with copies and regular inspections of special sites,” according to a recent Telegraph report.
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Posted by: 1Jn416 -
Dec. 18, 2014 3:58 PM ET USA
I hope that few or no churches and other such sites take the quoted recommendations. The linked article includes many more suggestions to enhance security. Reduced opening hours and replacing original artwork with a copy are not good methods as they protect the art by depriving people of its benefits. Art needs to be seen, not locked away. It should be protected with methods that honor that.
