Fr Emmanuel Pierre of the St Mary’s RC Church in St James chased away an intruder from his church this morning shortly before sunrise
According to Catholic News, the man escaped from the Church with two monstrances (liturgical vessels) after he was spotted by the Parish Priest inside the premises this morning.
Pierre reported that he typically opens the Church before Morning Mass at 6.15.a.m. This morning, he said he met the intruder inside the building, dressed in a white overall.
He reportedly called out “I caught you! I caught you!” to the intruder, who ran out the door and escaped.
The two monstrances are estimated to be worth $15,000.
The scene has since been processed by Crime Scene Investigators.
Parishioners expressed relief that Fr Pierre was not injured during the incident. It is understood that he confronted one of the intruders, who then fled the scene. Information including a vehicle registration number was reportedly obtained and passed on to investigators.
“Please pray for Father Mannie and the parish of St Mary’s, Mucurapo,” one parishioner said. “We are grateful that Father was not hurt, but it is heartbreaking that these sacred items were taken.”
Fr Pierre, affectionately known as “Father Mannie”, is a well-known Catholic priest who marked 40 years of priestly ministry in 2021.
