Monstrance with Blessed Sacrament stolen from parish in Spain

Madrid, Spain, Feb 15, 2011 / 14:09 pm

Two individuals stole a monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament from a parish located in Majadahonda, a suburb of Madrid, Spain.

Fr. Juan Francisco Perez, the parish pastor of St. Catherine's, said the incident occurred at 6 p.m. on Feb. 11. He told Europa Press that two individuals grabbed the monstrance and left.

Police confirmed that the monstrance was indeed stolen and that an investigation is under way. 

Fr. Perez said police dusted for fingerprints at the parish and were given descriptions by witnesses who were present at the Church.

This was not the first time the parish has been the target of such incidents. “On Christmas Eve somebody set fire to the main door,” Fr. Perez added. 

Mayor Narciso de Foxa of Majadahonda expressed solidarity with Fr. Perez and his parishioners, saying he is “profoundly indignant” over the “attack,” which demonstrates “the intolerance of these people.”

“We will continue to work until we discover who is behind such grave acts that are disrespectful to all Catholics,” he promised.