A priest in Italy has narrowly evaded an apparent poisoning attempt during Mass, after he realised that the chalice was laced with bleach, just moments before he was about to sip from it. This was not the first death threat he has received.
Father Felice Palamara, who has been known to denounce organised crime in the region, was leading Mass in the town of Cessaniti, Calabria – a major operating area of the infamous ’Ndrangheta mafia group.
As the priest raised the chalice to his mouth on Saturday night, he smelled chemicals, at which point he suspended the Mass, saying he didn’t feel well, and called the local police. Subsequent tests confirmed that the flask has been laced with bleach.
Notably, consuming any amount of bleach would have been particularly dangerous for Fr. Felice, considering the fact that he has asthma and pre-existing heart problems.
Police are now analysing CCTV footage to try and determine who laced the water and wine with the chemical substance.
It is believed that the powerful ’Ndrangheta gang, who have an estimated net worth of $72 billion according to Forbes, were behind the attack, as Fr. Felice has been openly critical of their activities.
“I’m sure that this act of intimidation has nothing to do with my parishioners because I have been here for 10 years and I have always had good relations with the people of the parish,” he told Corriere della Sera in a subsequent interview.
“We won’t allow anyone to do harm to the parish. Nobody can stop a town that deserves redemption and that wants to grow.”
Earlier this month, Fr. Felice had his car scratched, and he has received death threats in the form of letters. However, speaking of the culprits behind this intimidation, he said he would “continue to pray for them, until we see in them a change.”
“I continue to love them, even if every gesture of theirs is impregnated with hatred and anger,” he said.
“I will get my own back with love and mercy because the only weapon that I know is forgiveness.”
Fr. Felice added that he was “not going to suffer in the way of obstacles, nor will I be intimidated.”
“With love we fight hate,” he said in a Facebook post.
“If you’re tired and bitter in seeing so much hate, do not give in…more than before I continue raising the flag of love, putting on the robe of mercy, taking revenge only with forgiveness, relying on justice. I won’t let darkness win over me, out of the darkness, out of hate, but I’ll keep loving.
“Because love wins, it sets you free, making you walk without fear in the midst of raptors and wolves.
“…Jesus on the cross continues to be my master, loving me, forgiving me, opening his heart for me too in an ocean of mercy.”
Previously to this, Fr. Francesco Pontoriero in the town has also received death threats, finding a dead cat on his car’s bonnet recently.
Intimidazioni ai parroci di Cessaniti: gatto morto sulla macchina di un sacerdote https://t.co/4pX1ttBZXl via @CDNewsCalabria pic.twitter.com/buxlSk7rLk
— CalabriaDirettaNews (@CDNewsCalabria) February 25, 2024
Earlier this month, another priest in Calabria, Fr. Gianni Rigoli, had his car burned out.
La solidarietà di Reggio non tace a don Gianni Rigoli https://t.co/PbN0MYJz67 pic.twitter.com/ECHzTjo94e
— ilreggino (@ilregginoit) February 8, 2024
In the wake of the latest incident, the Municipal Administration of Drapia expressed its “deepest solidarity” with the priest and his parishioners, condemning the “vile act.”
“[These are] actions that can only be considered an act of cowardice and deep intolerance,” the Administration said in a statement.
“The community of Drapia is close to the two priests, who have always been committed with dedication and love for the good of others. Nobody can stop the good that Don Felice and Don Francesco sow every day with their operation. No one can stop good.”