Liturgical abuse in the Pope's Diocese: The Blessed Sacrament exposed on a Palestinian scarf and among rainbow flags

In Rome, the Pope's diocese, a serious incident of liturgical abuse occurred during an event organized by the Vicariate of Rome at the Church of San Giuseppe dei Falegnami in the Roman Forum.

The event, billed as a "continuous prayer for peace in Gaza and the Holy Land," began on September 22 and concludes today, September 25. Images released show that during the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the monstrance was placed on a Palestinian scarf and surrounded by objects unrelated to Catholic worship.

An altar turned into a political stage

Next to the altar were rainbow flags—presented as symbols of "peace," but also associated with LGBT activism—banners for political demands, and other objects of a profane nature.

On the ambo, the seat was even covered with a multicolored cloth, while maps, posters, and materials that have nothing to do with Eucharistic adoration appeared on the floor.

Why it's a liturgical abuse

The Church's norms are clear: the monstrance or monstrance must be placed on the corporal, the altar, or an approved liturgical cloth. This is stated in the instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum in no. 169, which prohibits the introduction of foreign elements into Eucharistic worship.

Furthermore, the Code of Canon Law, in canon 1367, establishes serious sanctions for acts that constitute irreverence toward the Blessed Sacrament. Although the canon refers strictly to profanation, theologians and canonists agree that placing the Eucharist on objects of a political or profane nature constitutes an offense to its dignity.

The gravity of this happening in Rome

What happened is even more serious because it is not an isolated incident in a remote parish, but an event organized in the Pope's diocese and promoted by organizations within the Vicariate of Rome itself.

That such an exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is tolerated—and promoted—in the heart of the Church is a source of scandal for the faithful, who expect from Rome an example of reverence, fidelity, and care for the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

Source

Cathcon:  This was the titular Church of the notorious Cardinal Coccopalmerio.  Some saw the collapse of the roof in 2018 as an act of divine judgement.  They had better be diligent with their building checks otherwise they might be tempting providence again.