SW News: The Maronite cathedral in the Argentinian capital, Buenos Aires was desecrated by unknown persons on Saturday, September 24. The assailant desecrated the Eucharist by forcing open the tabernacle and scattering several consecrated hosts on the floor of the sanctuary of San Maron Cathedral in the neighborhood of Recoleta.

The Catholic bishops of Argentina have expressed their deepest solidarity with the Maronite community of the city. In a communique signed by the secretary-general of the episcopal conference Monsignor Carlos Malfa, the bishops said, “We unite in prayer asking for the reparation of such felt damage to the community and in communion we implore God's mercy at the moment of pain experienced by these dear brothers of ours."

The communique of the bishops was addressed to the Maronite believers in the capital as well as their bishop Monsignor Juan Habib Chamieh who belongs to the Maronite Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In a similar manner, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace in the diocese of Lomas de Zamora was desecrated earlier in March and the Holy Eucharist was profaned. The assailants pried open the tabernacle and scattered the sacred hosts. They also decamped with the crowns of the statue of the Holy Virgin of Peace and the Child Jesus at the centre of the sanctuary. The cross of the parish cemetery was also found damaged.