A priest in Italy narrowly escaped death when he noticed that a chalice was covered in bleach as he was about to take a sip of it during Mass.
Father Felice Palamara was leading Mass on Saturday at the church of Nicola dei Panacone in Sesanetti, a small town in the Calabria region, where he was preparing to drink and noticed a smell.
After noticing what was now believed to be a mafia threat, the priest told the congregation he was not feeling well and stopped the service.
He has criticized crime in the area, and says he has been threatened before, having had his car vandalized twice and death threats sent in the mail.
On Saturday evening, Father Palamara posted on social media that his “revenge is love,” while local bishop Attilio Nostro said the diocese was “living a moment of suffering.”
He blamed “acts of intimidation that have nothing to do with normal Christian life in the parishes,” the Corriere della Sera newspaper reported.
Father Phyllis Palamara. Photo: Facebook
“We must not respond to hate with hate.”
He added: “For this reason, I once again appeal to Christian groups not to be discouraged by this language of violence.”
He added: “We cannot accept this language, and we must not respond to hate with hate, knowing that it is not possible to speak authentically to those who refuse to do so.”
Read more from Sky News:
Arrest the mafia leader who escaped from prison using bed sheets
The couple likely died after a yacht was hijacked by escaped convicts
The incident was reported to the police
The incident was immediately reported to the police, and they are examining video footage in the area to identify those responsible.
Local media reported that the ovarian infection was confirmed after the analysis.
Another priest, Don Francesco Pontoriero, was also recently threatened, having a dead cat placed on the bonnet of his car and threatening letters sent to him.
“I hope justice can shed light on the criminal events.”
“I am calm,” Father Palamara told the Corriere della Sera newspaper.
“Although in addition to forgiveness and mercy, I hope that justice can shed light on these criminal events.”
