Bengaluru: The St. Francis Assisi Church in Kengeri on Monday night was reportedly attacked and desecrated by some miscreants and the Sacred Species was thrown out of the Tabernacle. A complaint has been lodged at the local Kengeri police station, and investigation is being carried out.
As per initial reports, these miscreants did not steal any valuables and came in with the intent to destroy the altar, the tabernacle and statues inside the church. The Holy Communion was also desecrated by the attackers. The CCTV camera inside the church premises has helped identify one miscreant who entered through the back door.
Preliminary reports do not confirm a communal attack or any robbery.
Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Satish, ofm, said that a robbery attempt was made in his church last night and the Sacred Species was thrown out of the Tabernacle.
An anguished Archbishop of Bangalore, Most Rev Dr. Peter Machado said, “I am not only terribly shocked but also greatly grieved that desecration was done to the Eucharistic Lord in that church.”
“We all know that this sacrilege and serious dishonour done to Our Blessed Lord and Saviour is a matter of great concern not only to the Parishioners of St. Francis Assisi Parish but it also affects the religious sentiments of all of us in the entire Archdiocese.”
The prelate has urged the whole diocese to do penance and reparation in the churches and religious houses for this sacrilegious and ignominious deed. He has requested the faithful to observe Friday, 24th January, as A Day of Reparation in the Archdiocese to praise, worship and glorify the Eucharistic Lord in a very special way.
“Let us also pray for those who grieved Him by doing such sacrilegious act. I request the parish priests/chaplains to expose the Blessed Sacrament for adoration on this day, and keep it for at least 12 hours from morning till evening for public veneration in all the churches and the religious houses of the archdiocese,” the archbishop added.