On the night of Feb. 17-18, a break-in occurred at the Basilica of the Blessed Virgin of St. Luke in Bologna. According to information from theArchdiocese, unknown persons forced the night closure of the Holy Image and broke the protective glass of the silver plate that leaves the faces of the Madonna and Child Jesus uncovered, with the aim of stealing some valuables. Immediately informed, the Police Force intervened on the scene. An initial check showed that the Holy Image has no visible damage. Tomorrow, however, in-depth checks will be carried out in the joint inspection between the Bologna Superintendency, the Carabinieri’s Cultural Heritage Protection Unit and the Archdiocese.
The episode has aroused strong sorrow among the faithful and church institutions. The Archdiocese expressed the dismay of the Bologna community and indicated how the act constitutes an outrage to a symbol venerated for nine centuries. The official statement said that at the beginning of the Lenten journey, the faithful ideally embrace the Virgin as a wounded Mother, entrusting themselves to Her with renewed affection. In response to the intrusion, the archbishop will preside at a Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of St. Luke on Thursday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 a.m., inviting the community to participate and to witness their closeness to the venerated icon.
“In relation to the serious theft that occurred at the Shrine of Our Lady of San Luca in Bologna,” said Undersecretary for Culture Lucia Borgonzoni, “I express the strongest condemnation for a gesture that strikes not only a place of worship, but an identity and cultural symbol of great value for the entire city. I address my full solidarity to the deeply wounded community and archdiocese,” thus Undersecretary for Culture Lucia Borgonzoni.
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| Theft in the Basilica of San Luca in Bologna, shattered the protective glass of the Sacred Image |
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