A monstrance carrying the Blessed Sacrament has been taken during a break-in at St. Mulumba Parish on Wetheral Road in Owerri, Imo and has prompted the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri to sound the alarm on Thursday.
In a letter to the Owerri Archdiocese’s priests, religious, and laypeople and obtained by ENigeria Newspaper, the Archdiocesan Chancellor/Secretary, Rev. Fr. Patrick C. Mbarah, revealed this incident. He claims that unidentified individuals committed the atrocity in the early hours of Wednesday, April 29, 2026, by taking advantage of the rain.
He instructed members to observe a one-week prayer of reparation after characterizing the event as a defilement of the chapel.
“It is with great sadness that we inform you of the desecration of the Chapel of Adoration of St Mulumba Parish, Wetheral Road, Owerri”, the letter party read.
“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 the 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.”
As at the time of filing this report, there are no official statements from the Imo police.
A monstrace carrying Blessed Sacrament
The monetary value of a monstrance varies widely based on its size, material (gold-plated, solid silver, brass), age, and craftsmanship, with prices ranging from under $15 for small miniatures to thousands of dollars for large, handcrafted church pieces.
