THE LATEST ORDER OF SAINTS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2412, 29 September 1886, Page 2

THE LATEST ORDER OF SAINTS.

The capture of a brigand near. BoccjJjfe Rliore, a hamlet situated in a remoto part of the Oalabrian Highlands,' lias according to a Rome telegram revealed the distance in that region of an oxtenuive sect remarkable alike fov tlie wildnvss of its tenets and the nefarious character of its practices. Its head is an ex-aorgeant, Gabriel Donnici, who claims to be tlio Deity, and represents, the Advent aa still to come. During the last'live years 1m has been organising the seca, which comprises. nearly all the small farmers and shepherds of the district. His gospel seems to be a kind of communism of the lowest and most sensual type. The clandestine meetings ot the sect are alleged to be marked by orgies and obscene rites, recalling the worat features of Oriental Paganism, Douinici's own sister-in-law for refusing to conform to these practices ivassliut up iu a cave and left there to die. This nearly led to ; the breaking up of the,the- community, as Donnici and his followers were arrosted and tried for. murder, but owing to the impossibility of procuring witnessus against tliein they V were acquitted. The Boct has now been' brought iuto fuller notice'by the capture of Korrafino Bruno, one of the leading members—or saints, as they are styled. This worthy, after murdering a doctor, betook himsulf to tho woods, and with the conuivimce of his co-religionist*, flourished there as a highway roblvSjfc The police having failed to track him?' Bruno was arrested the* other day by a local landowner, Count Oouversano. His capture occasioned groat demonstrations of griof at Bocchigliero, .where hundreds of men and women, hung about this pre' cious saint aud kissed him rapturously.