Thieves stole the tabernacle containing consecrated Hosts from the chapel of Aurelia Hospital, a private polyclinic on Rome’s Via Aurelia, in the early morning of June 16, 2026, in what the Vicariate of Rome has condemned as yet another sacrilegious attack on a church and the Blessed Sacrament.

The theft was discovered around 10am by the hospital chaplain. The heavy tabernacle, which was anchored to its pedestal, was forcibly removed and taken away, along with the offerings from the votive candle stands in the chapel.

Auxiliary Bishop Stefano Sparapani of the western sector of the Diocese of Rome issued a forceful statement on behalf of the Vicariate: “We express our sorrow for this ennesimo atto sacrilego [yet another sacrilegious act] committed against a church and the Eucharist. We are profoundly saddened and afflicted also for the many sick people who find comfort and spiritual support in this chapel. We commend to the Lord all those who live this reality daily – doctors, hospital staff and patients – and we hope that the chapel may return as soon as possible to being fully a place of prayer and consolation for everyone.”

The Vicariate’s official communiqué, dated June 17, 2026, continued: “As soon as a new tabernacle is installed, a penitential rite will be celebrated together with the Eucharistic celebration, as a moment of prayer and reparation for what has happened, open to the participation of the hospital community and the faithful.”

The chapel at Aurelia Hospital serves patients, medical staff and visitors in one of Rome’s busy healthcare facilities. No arrests have been reported, and police investigations are continuing. The incident is the latest in a series of thefts and desecrations of sacred vessels and the Blessed Sacrament reported in Roman and Italian churches in recent years.

Bishop Sparapani’s use of the phrase ennesimo atto sacrilego – “yet another sacrilegious act” – draws attention to a repetition that has alarmed many faithful. The Diocese has not disclosed further technical details about the tabernacle or the number of consecrated Hosts involved, but has stressed the profound gravity of the removal of the Real Presence from a place dedicated to the care of the sick. Consecrated Hosts have been stolen for use in profane rituals in different parts of the world in recent decades. The chapel remains closed pending the installation of a replacement tabernacle and the planned rite of reparation.