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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Silvia Stellacci and Giovanna Dellorto

Why the Catholic Church isn’t happy about relics of Carlo Acutis being sold online

  • The Catholic Church, with the help of Italian police, is investigating the online sale of relics purportedly belonging to Carlo Acutis, a millennial set to be canonized as a saint.
  • The Church condemns the sale of relics, which are typically body parts or clothing of saints, as a sin and an offense against religious belief.
  • Acutis, who died of leukemia in 2006 at age 15, was known for his deep faith and tech skills, creating an online exhibit of eucharistic miracles.
  • The increasing demand for relics associated with Acutis has fueled the illicit online trade, with items like locks of hair fetching high prices.
  • Church officials emphasise that relics are meant for veneration and prayer, not commercial exploitation, and are typically distributed freely to parishes and churches.
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