Denver, Colo., Sep 1, 2021 / 17:00 pm
A historically African-American parish in Denver was robbed Monday night of a number of valuables, most notably the tabernacle and several consecrated hosts.
Thieves plundered Curé d'Ars Catholic Church and made off with all the church's vessels used for Mass from the vestry, which they accessed by kicking in a wooden door. They also took a laptop used for livestreaming Masses, and a sound board used to connect to the church's microphones.
Father Joseph Cao, the church's pastor, said he has no idea who could have carried out the robbery, which took place sometime during the night of Aug. 30-31. This is the first break-in the church has had, he said.
The assailants also tore out four security cameras throughout the sanctuary, ensuring they would not be caught on video. They also cut all the copper piping off of the building's furnace downstairs and from a stairwell on the building's exterior, flooding the church basement with water.