The Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri has raised the alarm over a burglary at St. Mulumba Parish on Wetheral Road, Owerri, where sacred items, including a monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament, were stolen.
The Archdiocesan Chancellor and Secretary, Rev. Fr. Patrick C. Mbarah, disclosed the incident in a circular addressed to priests, religious and members of the laity within the archdiocese.
He described the act as a desecration of the chapel and announced that parishioners would observe a one-week prayer of reparation.
According to him, the incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, April 29, when unidentified persons allegedly took advantage of rainfall to gain access to the church.
Mbarah explained that the intruders tampered with parts of the roof, entered through the ceiling into the Chapel of Adoration, and carted away the monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament.
Following the development, the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, directed members of St. Mulumba Parish to embark on a one-week prayer exercise from May 1 to May 8.
He also instructed priests across the archdiocese to strictly comply with established guidelines governing the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament to prevent a recurrence.
The Archbishop emphasised that the sacrament must not be left unattended during exposition, noting that such practices should only take place when there is adequate presence of the faithful.
The church leadership urged vigilance among parish communities while reiterating the need for adherence to liturgical norms.
