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The Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri on Thursday raised the alarm over a break-in at St. Mulumba Parish, Wetheral Road, Owerri, during which a monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament was stolen.

The Archdiocesan Chancellor/Secretary, Rev. Fr. Patrick C. Mbarah, disclosed this in a letter addressed to priests, religious and the laity of the Owerri Archdiocese.

He described the incident as a desecration of the chapel and directed members to observe a one-week prayer of reparation.

According to him, yet-to-be-identified persons took advantage of the rain in the early hours of Wednesday, April 29, 2026, to carry out the act.

Mbarah said the perpetrators opened parts of the roof, gained access to the Chapel of Adoration through the ceiling, and made away with the monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament.

The Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, has directed members of St. Mulumba Parish to observe a one-week prayer of reparation.

He also ordered that all priests in the archdiocese strictly adhere to established norms and directives regarding the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and adoration to prevent a recurrence.

Consequently, the Archbishop directed that the Blessed Sacrament must never be left unattended during exposition.

The letter partly read, “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 persons opened parts of the roof, gained access through the ceiling, and made away with the monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament.

“It is alleged that this incident occurred during rainfall in the early hours of Wednesday, April 29, 2026. Following this act of irreverence, the Archbishop, His Grace, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, hereby directs all parishioners of St. Mulumba Parish, Owerri, to observe a one-week prayer of reparation from Friday, May 1 to Friday, May 8, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.

“All priests in the Owerri Archdiocese are reminded to strictly adhere to the norms and directives regarding exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and adoration to avoid any recurrence.

“We emphasise that exposition is to take place only when a fitting attendance of the faithful is assured (cf. Can. 942). The Blessed Sacrament must never be left unattended during exposition.”