The abbey of Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives (Calvados) was desecrated on the night that fell between the 8th and 9th of May 2024. This desecration caused a great stir in the local parish, especially as it was committed on the night before Ascension Day. A report was filed and an investigation initiated.
The abbey of Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives was raided and vandalised on the night before Ascension Day. In the early morning of May 9, the sacristan discovered the damage after opening the doors of the religious building, where a mass was due to take place a few hours later.
Vandalism to the tabernacles
She discovered that several tabernacles had been the target of break-ins or attempted break-ins. However, the perpetrators had not succeeded in breaking into the tabernacle containing the Blessed Sacrament. However, as it was doused with hot candle wax and broken open, it is now unusable. In the sacristy, the chasuble – a cupboard containing liturgical vestments – was also vandalised and chasubles were scattered on the floor.
The parish priest of the region, Father Donat Nsabimana, was alerted by a parishioner and had to cancel a first mass in Sainte-Marguerite-de-Viette in order to call the gendarmerie and go to the desecrated place where he had planned to celebrate a service in the late morning.