Monstrances stolen from St Mary’s RC Church returned by thief

The intruder who stole two monstrances from the St Mary’s RC Church, St James, on June 2 is expressing remorse and asking for forgiveness in a note left with the items, which were returned to the church this morning.

The monstrances were discovered in a black garbage bag on the steps at the entrance of the church by parishioners who arrived for the 6.15 a.m. Mass today (Friday, June 12).

The sacred items were taken in a robbery days before the June 4 Corpus Christi observance. Parish priest Fr Emmanuel Pierre was notified and contacted the investigating officer from the St James Criminal Investigation Division about the discovery.

Photo of the two monstrances returned

Apart from the large and small monstrances which have a total value of about $15,000, the bag also contained TT $100 and a handwritten message. It stated: “Sorry father please pray for me ask God to forgive me and bless me.”

Responding to the note, Fr Pierre told The Catholic News: “forgiveness is always important. I can’t determine how contrite the heart is if it’s a true forgiveness…I can’t determine that…Anybody who repents is always a very good and noble response, you know what I mean. But it’s written on a piece of paper, so I don’t know how to interpret that.”

Fr Pierre said there was hope the monstrances would be returned although there was doubt this would actually happen.

He disclosed that one of the monstrances was slightly damaged; a “piece” was detached and will need to be repaired. Fr Pierre said the items will be cleaned and reconsecrated “as early as possible”.

Parishioners were joyful and thanked God that the monstrances —used to contain the Sacred Host, the Body of Christ, and for Eucharistic Adoration—were returned.

On June 2, two days before Corpus Christi, Fr Pierre came face-to-face with a thief inside the church as he was preparing for the 6.15 a.m. Mass. The intruder had gained entry through a side door bordering the St James Medical Complex.

He shouted, “I caught you!” and the man ran away. He escaped via a waiting vehicle parked on the hospital compound. Fr Pierre noticed that the thief had attempted to remove the tabernacle but did not get a chance because he was seen. It was left on the ground in the sanctuary. Other items the intruder attempted to steal were left near the door when he made his escape.

The St James Police were contacted and crime scene investigators collected evidence at the church.