Art theft in churches and places of worship: investigations from north to south these days

About sixty works of art from the Sanctuary of the Consolata and the Franciscan Convent in Susa (Turin) are at the center of the investigation by the Artistic Heritage Protection Unit of the Turin Carabinieri, who are following the investigation coordinated by prosecutor Elisa Buffa for their “disappearance,” charging a prelate, two restorers and two art dealers with theft and conspiracy to steal.

In the strictest secrecy, the news emerged after searches in recent days at the parish and home of the parish priest, a monsignor and exorcist for his diocese for more than 40 years in the cassock, who had previously played a role within the Consolata Shrine. The works of art under investigation were supposed to be in the possession of the Turin diocese but are currently untraceable, including three precious tapestries that were owned by the Susa Cathedral and were kept at the Consolata.

The investigation began in 2021 with the incidental discovery at a market in the province of Vercelli of a painting that a Carabinieri from the Artistic Heritage Unit recognized to be one of those reported missing.

Also, places of worship were targeted by a gang of 27 people under investigation by the Santa Maria Capua a Vetere Public Prosecutor’s Office , which notified them in recent days of the end of the preliminary investigation on charges of ’charges of stealing paintings, jewelry, cherubs, candelabras, valuable doors (with gilded wooden frames), two silver medallions and two silver crowns, but also purely religious objects such as, even, bones and relics of St. Erasmus from the church of the same name in Gaeta and, a reliquary from the church of Sant’Audeno (Aversa), a monstrance, and a Roman missal from the 19th century. Those under investigation for theft and receiving stolen works of art from churches and historic buildings in various cities in Italy (provinces of Naples, Latina, Frosinone, Florence, Bolzano, Rome, Potenza, Avellino, Salerno, and Catania) since at least 2017.

Theft in churches and places of worship is a long-standing problem due to its often poor protection of property. Recently, the discipline for crimes in the cultural sphere has been tightened and better typified, but this does not seem to deter criminals. Article 518 bis of the Penal Code as amended by Law 22 of March 9, 2022, no. 22 stipulates that “Whoever takes possession of another person’s movable cultural property, removing it from its owner, in order to gain profit for himself or others, or takes possession of cultural property belonging to the State, as it is found underground or on the seabed, shall be punished by imprisonment from two to six years and a fine from 927 euros to 1,500 euros” for aggravating circumstances. The penalty is imprisonment from four to ten years.

Photo: the Shrine of the Consolata in Susa

Art theft in churches and places of worship: investigations from north to south these days

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