Einsiedeln monastery church Asylum seeker dons clothes from the Black Madonna
A teenager undresses the Black Madonna in the Einsiedeln monastery church in front of the faithful. The police arrest him, while the monastery speaks of an "act of violence".
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- A 17-year-old asylum seeker from Afghanistan has raised eyebrows at Einsiedeln Abbey.
- He undressed the icon of the Black Madonna, put on the clothes, put on the crown and brandished the sceptre.
- The police were alerted immediately. The 17-year-old was arrested.
On Saturday afternoon, the Einsiedeln monastery church experienced an unusual incident. A 17-year-old youth entered the Chapel of Mercy and undressed the Black Madonna in front of the praying pilgrims. He put on the statue's clothes, put on the crown and brandished the sceptre. A monk and a church visitor held the youth until the police arrived and took him into custody. This was reported by the "Aargauer Zeitung" newspaper.
The historic statue, which dates back to the 15th century, was slightly damaged. Einsiedeln Abbey described the incident as an "act of violence" and expressed its gratitude that no one was injured. Many worshippers were emotionally upset after the incident.
The teenager, an asylum seeker from Afghanistan, was unarmed and was taken to a psychiatric clinic. The police are investigating the incident, although the teenager's motives are still unclear. It is suspected that a mental illness is at the forefront.
Mental illness in the foreground
The incident shows the challenges faced by underage asylum seekers. Many of them are psychologically burdened by experiences in their home country or while on the run. The teenager lived in the canton of Zurich and was already undergoing psychiatric treatment.
The monastery thanked the police and those present for their quick intervention. Despite the incident, security measures will not be tightened. The church will remain freely accessible to worshippers and the staff will ensure order.
Einsiedeln is an important place of pilgrimage, attracting hundreds of thousands of pilgrims every year. The history of the monastery dates back to the 12th or 13th century. The monastery was plundered during the French period, but the pilgrimage was later revived.
The article ends with a critical opinion on the reactions to crimes committed by asylum seekers in Switzerland. It is noted that such acts are often excused on the grounds of traumatization, leading to a political debate.
Do you or does someone you know have a mental illness? You can find help here:
- Pro Mente Sana, phone 0848 800 858
- Kinderseele Schweiz, counseling for mentally distressed parents and their relatives
- Postpartum Depression Association, telephone 044 720 25 55
- Angehörige.ch, advice and contact points
- VASK, regional associations for relatives
- Swiss Self-Help Foundation, coordination and service center for regional self-help centers
- Pro Juventute, advice for children and young people, telephone 147
- Dargebotene Hand, worry hotline, telephone 143
- Anxiety and panic help Switzerland, phone 0848 801 109
This article was created with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). All content taken from AI is verified by the editorial team.
