Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Updated

Mangaluru, Nov 24: Thieves broke into Our Lady of Mercy Church, Fajir here on the intervening night between Monday November 23 and Tuesday November 24.

The thieves gained entry by breaking open the main door of the church.

Police sources initially said that a laptop, Rs 75,000 from offering box and some other items had been stolen.

However, parish priest Fr Valerian Pinto informed daijiworld that no cash was stolen, and that the articles taken away included Tabernacle with three Consecrated Ciboriums, six Ciboriums from the almirah, four chalices and one laptop that is used for church hymns. "No money has been stolen and there is no damage other than desecration to the Holy Eucharist and holy vessels. The total value of the articles is around Rs 78,000.00," he said.

Luckily for the police, the thieves have been captured in the CCTV cameras installed in the church premises.

As per the CCTV images, the theft occured at around 1.30 am.

The theft came to light on Tuesday morning when the priest came to the church.

Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, vicar general Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu and other priests visited the place, and so also varado priests. Local panchayat president and other local leader have condemned the act.

Konaje police arrived at the spot and registered a case.