Man attacks church in Mangalore

Mangalore, Nov 4 (ANI): In a freak incident, a man broke into the St. Alphonsa Church in Mangalore and damaged an idol of Jesus Christ on Thursday.

The man has been identified as Shiva a resident of Jalligudde.

It was learnt that he went into the priest's private chambers, removed his clothes and tried to wear the holy vestments, before he was discovered by a couple of students staying at a hostel attached to the church.

He damaged the main idol of Christ and the Holy Cross placed inside the church.e also broke both the arms of the idol.

"When the assistant parish priest along with some of the hostel mates were in the dining room, one man entered the dining room and thereafter was questioned by Father as to why he had come, he ran into the church and tried to damage the cross; also he went inside the priest's room, opened the cupboard, removed all the things, clothes and he removed the dress he was wearing, which is supposed to be a very holy thing and worn it and gone outside. By the time the hostel mates caught hold of him. We called the police, who took him into custody," said Elizabeth, a member of parish of St. Alphonsa Church.

Meanwhile, Shiva has been placed under arrest, based on a complaint lodged by the church authorities. (ANI)