Owerri Catholic Archdiocese Raises The Alarm Over Stolen Sacrament

Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri has raised an alarm following a break-in into the Chapel of Adoration of St. Mulumba Parish, Wetheral Road, Owerri, and robbery of the Blessed Sacrament (communion).

The Archdiocesan chancellor/secretary, Rev Fr Patrick Mbarah, disclosed the robbery incident yesterday in a letter to priests, religious and laity (members).

According to him, some person(s) broke into the church through the ceiling on Wednesday night during the heavy rains to steal the Monstrance containing the blessed sacrament (communion).

He said the parish priest of St Mulumba Parish, Wetheral Road, Rev. Fr. Raymond Madu, reported that 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.

Mbarah, who described the incident as a desecration, said the Archbishop had directed members of the St. Mulumba Parish, Wetheral Road, to embark on a one-week prayer of reparation.

Already, the Archbishop has directed that henceforth the blessed sacrament must not be left unattended during exposition.

The letter 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 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 occurred in the wee hours of Wednesday, 29 April 2026, while it was raining.

“Following this reckless irreverence, the Archbishop, His Grace, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, hereby directs the entire Parishioners of St. Mulumba Parish Owerri, to hold a one-week prayer of reparation, starting from Friday, 1 May 2026, to Friday, 8 May 2026, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm daily.

“All Priests working in Owerri Archdiocese are once again reminded to adhere strictly to all the Norms and Directives regarding Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Adoration to avoid any future occurrence. We would like to stress that the Exposition is to take place only if a fitting attendance of the faithful is foreseen, cf. Can.. 942).

“The Blessed Sacrament must never be left unattended during exposition”, the letter read.