Holy Land: Vandals attack Church of Transfiguration

The Church of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor was robbed by unknown burglars last Monday.

In an official statement, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said: "The intruders destroyed the tabernacle, desecrated the sacred hosts which were thrown on the floor Some statues in the Church were vandalized and the contents of the donation box were also stolen.

"The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, together with all Churches and the Custody of the Holy Land, condemn this desecration as a heinous crime and an act that violates the sanctity of the Holy Sites. We also ask the police to conduct an investigation, to seriously look into the matter and apprehend the perpetrators who are culpable of these disgraceful actions."

Bishop Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo, auxiliary in Jerusalem, said the act showed a "lack of the sense of the sacred, of the divine" that was normal in the Holy Land among Jews and Muslims as well as Christians.

"The thieves even stole a bronze statue of Our Lady, which was on the tabernacle, but it is too heavy and they left it almost immediately. Some volunteers found it lying in the garden and put it back in its original place."

According to the bishop, who visited the site soon after the attack, there are also signs that the vandals tried to set fire to the church.

Bishop Marcuzzo told Asia News a small prayer of reparation has been made, but an official service will be held in the coming weeks. "This will confirm our love for the place, our sense of the sacred and devotion to Our Lady," he said. "All those who have a connection with this place will be invited - of course Muslims too."

A police investigation is underway.

Source: Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem/Asia News