Thugs invade Catholic Church, make off with consecrated host in Imo

In a shocking incident, thieves have stolen the Blessed Sacrament from the Adoration Chapel of the St. Mulumba Catholic Parish in Owerri, Imo State, as reported by Emmanuel Iheaka, with the crime occurring on Wednesday morning.

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The break-in was confirmed by the Archdiocesan Chancellor/Secretary, Rev. Fr. Patrick Mbarah, who stated that the perpetrators gained access to the chapel and escaped with the Blessed Sacrament.

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A call to action has been made to parishioners, urging them to participate in a week-long prayer of reparation in response to the desecration of the chapel, as announced by the Archdiocesan Chancellor/Secretary.

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According to Rev. Fr. Raymond Madu, the Parish Priest, the thieves entered the chapel by breaking through the roof and ceiling, making off with the Monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament during the early hours of Wednesday, 29 April 2026, while it was raining.

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In response to the incident, the Archbishop, His Grace, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, has directed the parishioners of St. Mulumba Parish Owerri to hold a one-week prayer of reparation from Friday, 1st May 2026, to Friday, 8th May 2026, taking place daily from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.

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Priests working in the Owerri Archdiocese have been reminded by the Archbishop to strictly adhere to the Norms and Directives regarding Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Adoration to prevent similar incidents in the future.

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The statement emphasized that Exposition should only take place when a sufficient number of faithful are present, citing Can. 942, and stressed that the Blessed Sacrament should never be left unattended during Exposition.