#BreakingNews Fire Destroys Historic Church, Damages Franciscan Convent and Saint's Relics in Palermo, Italy - VIDEO

A fire destroyed a 400-year-old church in Sicily. As the Catholic press agency "Sir" reported on Wednesday, the bones of St. Benedict of San Fratello, who is a patron saint of Palermo, were also burned. Only a small part of the relics could be saved. St. Benedict Manasseri was canonized in 1807. His parents were once taken as slaves from Ethiopia to Sicily. After Benedetto was released, he led a saintly life in the Franciscan order. On April 4, 1589, the religious, also known as "il santo moro" or Benedict the Moor, died in Palermo.

 
The church burned almost completely; the neighboring monastery building of the Franciscans was also severely damaged. According to "Sir", the cause should be an arson in the monastery complex on Monte Grifone. "It is with weeping hearts that we announce that little remains of the bodies of Saint Benedict the Moor and Saint Matthew of Agrigento," the religious said, according to Sir. "Please intercede with Heaven for those who are suffering in these hours and for those who are helpless victims of such a great catastrophe." Strong forest fires are currently raging in Sicily, the infrastructure is partially paralyzed. Palermo airport had to be temporarily closed due to the flames. Thousands of people are cut off from electricity and drinking water supplies.