A Roman Catholic priest who celebrated mass in the sea with an inflatable lilo as an altar has been forced to apologize after photos of him blessing the Eucharist wearing swimming shorts went viral.
Mattia Bernasconi said he planned to hold the ceremony on Sunday among the trees on the beach in Crotone, southern Italy, after a week-long youth camp, but the spot was taken by another group.
With no other shade available due to the scorching heat, a family nearby offered to use the mattress, and the priest went into the water and led the service with everyone—including himself—in swimsuits.
A beach mat served as an altar cloth.
In response to a photo of the mass published by local media, the archdiocese van Crotone praised the commitment of the young people involved, but said there should be certain standards.
While Mass can be held outside, “it is necessary to maintain that minimum of decorum and attention to the symbols that the nature of liturgical celebrations require,” it said.
Crotone’s prosecutor has opened a file on the celebration, according to Italian media, for insulting the religious service.
But witnesses on the beach seemed to appreciate the priest’s initiative. “When it’s hot, it’s hot for everyone. Alternative misses because of the 40 [degrees] today in Crotone,” a bystander posted a video of the service on TikTok.
In a response published online on Wednesday, the priest – van Milan – defended his actions while apologizing for each violation.
“I certainly didn’t mean to downplay the Eucharist…it was just mass at the end of a working week,” he said.
“But the symbols are strong, it’s true, and they speak, sometimes in a different way than we would like. It was naive of me not to give them the necessary weight,” he added.
When asked by Italian media whether he would do it again, the priest said he would “avoid it”.