Historic Church with Relic of Jesus' Passion Desecrated in Spain and Eucharist Stolen

In Spain, the monastery of La Santa Espina, which contains a sacred relic traditionally seen as one thorn from the crown placed on Jesus during his Passion, was vandalized. The Spanish Archdiocese of Valladolid publicly condemned the profanation of the tabernacle at the parish church of Santa María del Monasterio de La Santa Espina. They released that the consecrated hosts kept inside the tabernacle were stolen. The archdiocese described it as a grave offense of against the Catholic faith and the faithful. Archbishop Luis Argüello, who also serves as president of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference, presided over a solemn act of reparation on Saturday, 3 January, at 6:00 p.m. The liturgical rite is meant to repair the sacrilege committed, and also to gather the faithful around the key mystery of the Eucharist, affirming belief in the real presence of Jesus in the sacred Host. In their official statement, the archdiocese highlight that the Eucharist is not just a symbol but the heart of Catholic worship, making this desecration a wound for the entire Church. This is the second reported profanation in the archdiocese within a year, following a similar incident at the parish of Our Lady of the Vega in Arroyo de la Encomienda. At that time, in March 2015, there was also a forced opening of the tabernacle and the theft of the sacred hosts. At the time, church authorities informed civil officials and organized an act of reparation during the Lenten liturgy. There is a rising vigilance among clergy and faithful, with the occurrence of these types of incidents.

STATEMENT from the Archdiocese: 

The Archbishop of Valladolid, Luis Argüello, will preside this Saturday, January 3, at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Church of Santa María del Monasterio de La Santa Espina over an act of reparation for the damage caused to the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist after the tabernacle of this church was forced open and desecrated last Sunday, December 28, and the consecrated Hosts inside were stolen.

This act, which has already been reported to the authorities, constitutes an offense of particular gravity against the Lord and the Catholic Church, since the Blessed Sacrament is the real presence of Jesus Christ in the bread and wine, which become His Body and Blood after consecration.

We regret having to denounce for the second time this year the desecration of the tabernacle of one of our churches. And we once again urge all the faithful of Valladolid to pray in reparation for this sacrilegious act, and to take care in the celebration of the Eucharist and the reservation of the Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle.

In Valladolid, December 30, 2025

Sources: https://www.archivalladolid.org/noticias/comunicado-sobre-la-profanacion-del-sagrario-de-la-iglesia-parroquial-de-santa-maria-en-la-santa-espina