Kottayam (Kerala), Nov 27 (IANS): A bishop of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church here said Thursday his house was robbed of 19 sovereigns of gold, Rs.48,000 in cash and a camera worth 600 euro.

Bishop Mor Policarpose Zacharias told IANS that he left for his headquarters in Wayanad district from Kottayam Wednesday.

"Whenever I come to Kottayam, I stay in my rented home near Manarcadu which belongs to my friend," the bishop said.

On Thursday morning, when three decans (before being ordained as priests) reached the house, they found the back door open. On looking inside, they found the house ransacked, he said.

"I lost a nine sovereign gold chain, two gold crosses and a gold ring. In all, 19 sovereigns of gold has been stolen," he said.

Circle Inspector Saju Varghese, who is investigating the crime, told IANS that a dog squad and forensic experts have examined the place.

The pastoral staff (around six feet tall) which was plated with gold was, however, not stolen.