Sant'Antimo – A serious episode of vandalism has struck the spiritual heart of the community of Sant'Antimo. On Saturday afternoon, a person in an evident state of mental alteration broke into the Sanctuary of the Patron Saint, forcing entry and devastating the sacred furnishings.
The man, in a state of severe confusion, destroyed furnishings, overturned benches, shattered sacred objects and even poured blessed liquids kept inside the place of worship onto the ground.
In his rage, he also allegedly caused himself some minor injuries, probably with sharp objects. The entire scene was captured by the sanctuary's video surveillance cameras and viewed live by the parish priest, Monsignor Francesco Campanile, who was busy at the time celebrating a wedding.
Images of the devastation immediately went viral on social media, sparking shock and outrage.
Among the first to express solidarity was the mayor of Sant'Antimo, Massimo Buonanno, who called the episode "disconcerting" and stressed the need not to give in to anger: "The state of mental distress of the perpetrator of the gesture is evident," he said. "We hope that he can be treated by the professionals of the ASL. As an administration and as a community we are close to Don Francesco. This is not the time for controversy."
Don Carmine Spada, parish priest of Grumo Nevano but originally from Sant'Antimo, also wanted to express his closeness: «A destroyed, looted sanctuary... and we all feel destroyed, but ready to restore its splendor. Solidarity and closeness to Monsignor Francesco Campanile and the entire parish community».
During Sunday mass, the parish priest addressed words of forgiveness, inviting the faithful to pray for the man who committed the act, underlining the importance of understanding in the face of pain and psychological distress.
"I am sure," he also wrote on social media, "that we will be able to recover at least part of what has been destroyed. But above all, we will be able to do it together, as a community."
Article published on 8 June 2025 - 14:33
It is truly sad that this happened in Sant'Antimo. The community must be united in these difficult times. I hope that the perpetrator of this act receives help and that the sanctuary can be repaired as soon as possible to return to its beauty.