In mafia crosshairs?

Bleach in water and wine: priest threatened

After the priest had consecrated water and wine for mass in the church of San Nicola, he noticed that both smelled of bleach and did not drink them.(Bild: GoneWithTheWind, stock.adobe.com)

In the small Italian community of Pannaconi di Cessaniti in the southern Italian region of Calabria, the local priest is being threatened. For weeks, unknown persons have allegedly been harassing Don Felice Palamara. His car has been damaged and he has received threatening letters. Most recently, bleach was added to the water and wine before mass.

After the priest had consecrated the water and wine for the mass in the church of San Nicola, he noticed that both smelled unusual. He did not drink it. He reported the incident, and later a laboratory analysis revealed that bleach had been poured into the chalices.

Numerous attempts at intimidation
Recently, the priest has often been the victim of intimidation attempts. His small Fiat was damaged twice in the past month. He also found threatening letters on the windshield of the car.

My revenge is called love, my shield is forgiveness, my armor is mercy. I will not be stopped by obstacles, nor will I be frightened by darkness.

Der Pfarrer

"My shield is forgiveness"
However, the priest announced that he would not be intimidated. "My revenge is called love, my shield is forgiveness, my armor is mercy. I will not be stopped by obstacles, nor will I be frightened by darkness," he wrote. He only wanted to take revenge with "love and forgiveness", but justice would have to take its course.

Pastor of nearby village also threatened
In the past few days, the pastor of the nearby village of Cessaniti had also received threats. He had also found a dead cat on the hood of his car. A connection between the two incidents is suspected, partly because both priests are heavily involved in social work.

Bishop condemns attacks
The local bishop of the Mileto-Nicotera-Tropea diocese condemned the incidents. "Our diocese deplores attempts at intimidation that have nothing to do with normal Christian life in the parishes. I therefore appeal once again to the Christian communities not to be discouraged by this language of violence," he emphasized. The investigations into both cases are ongoing.

Cassaniti is considered a difficult town. In August 2023, the mayor resigned and there were rumors of possible mafia influence on the municipal administration.