Thieves Break into St Augustine Catholic Church, cart away tabernacle

Suspected criminals have broken into St. Augustine Catholic Church, Benin City and stole the tabernacle and other items in the Bless Sacrament.

The Standard Gazette gathered that the hoodlums stormed the church premises around 3 a.m. on Sunday, 17 September 2023.

It was gathered that as part of proactive steps taken so far, the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Dr. Anthony Nkom, immediately reported the incident to security agents to help recover the tabernacle.

The priest believed the tabernacle was still in the vicinity as it was difficult to open.

The Archbishop of Benin City, Most Rev Augustine Akubeze, has visited the scene of the incident.

The Archbishop was in the company of his personal Secretary, Rev. Fr Francis Morah and the Seminary Rector, Rev. Fr Paschal Omono.

They were in the church to have a first-hand assessment of the sacrilegious incident.

The Parish Priest, St Augustine Catholic Church, Benin City, Rev Fr. Nkom, said, “All Lay Faithful are to continue to pray that God exposes the perpetrators of this unholy act.

“Everyone should be more watchful to ensure the stolen Blessed Sacrament is found in due time. We promise handsome rewards for any person with useful information on recovering the missing Tarbanacle.

Please, we are not to relent in our prayers for God’s forgiveness and consolation during this trying period in our parish community”.

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