SACRILEGE! HOODLUMS STEAL BLESSED SACRAMENT FROM OWERRI CATHOLIC CHURCH, ARCHDIOCESE DECLARES WEEK OF REPARATION

The Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri has declared a one-week prayer of reparation after unidentified hoodlums broke into the Chapel of Adoration at St. Mulumba Catholic Parish, Wetheral Road, Owerri, and stole the Blessed Sacrament.

The incident, which has caused deep shock and outrage among Catholic faithful, occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, April 29, 2026, during a heavy downpour.

In a statement issued on Thursday and addressed to priests, religious, and the laity of the Owerri Archdiocese, the Archdiocesan Chancellor and Secretary, Rev. Fr. Patrick C. Mbarah, described the act as a desecration of the sacred chapel.

According to the statement, the parish priest of St. Mulumba Parish, Rev. Fr. Raymond Madu, reported that the unknown perpetrators opened parts of the roof, gained access through the ceiling, and made away with the monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament.

The statement read in part, “It is with great sadness that we inform you of the desecration of the Chapel of Adoration of St. Mulumba Parish, Wetheral Road, Owerri. As reported by the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Raymond Madu, unknown person(s) opened some parts of the roof of the building, jumped into the Chapel of Adoration through the ceiling and made away with the Monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament. It is alleged that this ugly incident happened while it was raining in the wee hours of Wednesday, 29 April 2026.”

Following the sacrilegious act, the Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, has directed all parishioners of St. Mulumba Parish to observe a one-week prayer of reparation. The prayers are scheduled to hold daily from Friday, May 1, to Friday, May 8, 2026, between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm.

The Archbishop also used the opportunity to remind all priests in the archdiocese to adhere strictly to established norms and directives regarding the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. He stressed that exposition should only take place when a fitting attendance of the faithful is assured, and that the Blessed Sacrament must never be left unattended during exposition, referencing Canon 942.

The Blessed Sacrament, which Catholics believe is the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, is considered one of the most sacred elements of Catholic worship. Its theft is viewed not merely as a criminal act but as a profound spiritual violation.

As of the time of this report, the motive behind the break-in remains unclear, and no arrests have been announced. Church leaders have called on security agencies to investigate the matter thoroughly and bring the perpetrators to justice.