Italian priest apologizes for holding mass service at sea using lilo as altar

A priest in Crotone, southern Italy, has earned a pat on the hand from the local diocese after celebrating mass on a lilo in the sea. The special mass was due to a hot day at the end of a youth camp

The Italian priest defended his choice, but apologized for any offense caused (

Image: Twitter)

An Italian priest has apologized after celebrating mass in the sea with a lilo acting as a makeshift altar.

Mattia Bernasconi, from Milan, had originally planned to hold the novelty mass among the trees near Crotone beach, but said the place had been taken.

Using a floating altar instead, Bernasconi celebrated the ceremony of a youth camp that was coming to an end.

Although some consider the mass a bit amusing, the sea-soaked holy man eventually apologized if any offense was caused, but defended his actions.

Bernasconi: "It was absolutely not my intention to trivialize the Eucharist...it was simply Mass at the end of a working week."

Altars have specific rules that should not be trivialized, according to the church (

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ENC)

"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 weight they deserve."

According to local media, a local prosecutor opened a case on the incident for breach of religious service.

The Archdiocese of Crotone said it was pleased with the commitment of the young people who participated, but the service should not have taken place in the sea.