Vandalism Against Roman Churches: Suspect Captured

In Rome several churches have become the target of attacks - a suspect is already known, a 39-year-old Ghanaian - Pastor of the church concerned: "I thought it would be ISIS"

Rome (kath.net/KAP/red) In Rome several churches have become target of attacks. After two incidents occured on Friday night, just a few steps apart, the churches of San Martino ai Monti and Santa Prassede, on Saturday a rioter also beset  San Vitale and San Giovanni dei Fiorentin, according to police. According to physical descriptions by the priests, police have arrested a man in Rome. It is presumed to involve a previously known 39-year-old Ghanaian.

The suspect has since been questioned. Whether he is actually responsible for the actions and for what motive he acted, according to the police, is still unclear.

According to the report a statue of the saint in the church of San Martino ai Monti on the Esquiline was damaged on Friday night and a man had fled. Shortly afterwards, apparently the same person appeared in Santa Prassede and attacked two saints. The rector of the church declared then that about 15 present had chased the perpetrators, after a moment of shock, before he could set alight a crucifix. The man appeared deranged.

According to the Italian newspaper "Messaggero,"the priest of Santa Prassede said: There was a great noise, "I thought it would be  ISIS". The church was filled with pilgrims, who became panicked, "the people fled and ran. But I managed to stop him while he was on the altar, then other people came and helped me. However, he managed to escape. We were in fear and anxiety, because we did not know if he was armed."

In retrospect, explained the priest, he obviously does not know whether it was a terrorist or not. In any event, it is but "a great lack of respect for the religion. That was a very serious matter."



Link to Kath.net...