Two monstrances stolen from St Mary’s RC Church in St James earlier this month were returned this morning, accompanied by a handwritten note expressing remorse and seeking forgiveness. The incident was first reported by the Catholic News.
Parishioners arriving for the 6.15 am Mass on Friday discovered the sacred items in a black garbage bag at the church entrance. The bag also contained $100 and a note which read: “Sorry father please pray for me ask God to forgive me and bless me.”
The large and small monstrances, valued at approximately $15,000, were stolen during a robbery on June 2, days before the Corpus Christi observance. Parish priest Fr Emmanuel Pierre contacted the investigating officer from the St James Criminal Investigation Division following their recovery.
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 had been hope that the monstrances would be returned, although there were doubts it would happen.
He revealed that one of the monstrances sustained minor damage and would require repairs. The items will be cleaned and reconsecrated as soon as possible.
Parishioners expressed gratitude that the monstrances, used to display the Sacred Host during Eucharistic Adoration, had been returned.
On June 2, Fr Pierre encountered an intruder inside the church while preparing for the 6.15 am Mass. The suspect, who had entered through a side door near the St James Medical Complex, fled after Fr Pierre shouted, “I caught you!”
The man escaped in a waiting vehicle parked on the hospital compound. Fr Pierre later discovered that the intruder had attempted to remove the tabernacle but abandoned it in the sanctuary after being interrupted. Other items were also left behind near the door.
The St James Police were notified and crime scene investigators processed the church for evidence.
