Bleach in church wine: the (foiled) ambush against the anti-mafia priest in Calabria

Don Felice Palamara, parish priest of San Nicola di Pannaconi (Vibo Valentia), was once again the victim of intimidation. After the threats and attacks in recent weeks, someone tried to poison him by pouring bleach into the wine and water bottles during the celebration of mass. Don Felice, however, noticed the attempted ambush in time. After smelling a strange odor coming from the chalice, he stopped mass, telling the faithful that he did not feel well. He therefore decided to report what happened and the analyzes confirmed the discovery of traces of bleach in the bottles of the priest, who already suffers from asthma and heart disease. The police are working to try to identify those responsible, by analyzing images from nearby cameras.

Death threats

This is not the first time that Don Felice has been the victim of intimidation: only a month ago his car was damaged and he received death threats in anonymous letters. Other clergy in the area have also been targeted. It is not excluded that there will be a coordinated attack on the local Church by criminal organizations, following the numerous calls for legality launched by intimidated priests. Currently, the government of the small town in the province of Vibo is entrusted to a prefectural commissioner. Last August, the mayor resigned following the operation Mistral Carthage, which highlighted suspicions of mafia influences within the local administration. Don Felice is now under surveillance 24 hours a day. In response to the threats, the priest said he was counting on faith and forgiveness, but he also expressed hope that justice would be served. From his Facebook profile, he writes: “My vengeance is called love, my shield forgiveness, my armor mercy”.

Cover photo: Felice Palamara / Facebook

Read also: