Panic gripped the congregation at the church of Our Lady of Jesus in Valletta yesterday, when an intruder slipped up the steps behind the main altar and toppled an antique crucifix which slammed against the altar steps.

The mother-of-pearl crucifix, a masterpiece made by Franciscan minors in Jerusalem over 200 years ago, broke into several pieces.

The church popularly known as Ta’ Giezu is famous for its Good Friday statues.

The man, whom witnesses described as a dark-skinned foreigner who spoke English, also pushed to the ground two silver candlesticks before being restrained and tied up with a length of rope by the male members of the congregation attending the 6.15 p.m. Mass.

The man was taken into police custody and duty magistrate Joseph Cassar opened an inquiry.

The police said in a statement, that the 33-year-old man is a foreigner but withheld his nationality.

Visibly angry and upset, members of the congregation told The Times the man had walked into the church after the evening Mass had started.

As Fr George Aquilina started his homily, the man, who was seen carrying a water bottle, left his place and headed for the altar and carried out the act of desecration.

With tears in his eyes, Salvinu Scicluna, who regularly assists the celebrant during Friday evening Mass, said he had seen the man sitting on a bench earlier during Mass.

“I stood up to go for confession and immediately saw the man head towards the altar. Nobody could have realised what he was up to until we saw him climb behind the altar and push over the crucifix,” a shocked Mr Scicluna said.

There was commotion as the man was surrounded and disabled until the police arrived. A woman, who cried as she recounted what she saw, said the incident had been the most shocking she had ever witnessed.

A man who had helped arrest the attacker said he had heard him say “Christians do not live up to what they preach”.

Some of the faithful remained in the church to offer prayers of reparation.

Every Friday, during lent, the church celebrates an episode from the Passion of Christ. It was the turn of Christ crucified yesterday, which is two weeks prior to Good Friday. Next week the church will mark Our Lady of Sorrows.

Times of Malta (01 April 2006) by Massimo Farrugia