Image Credit – X (Mazi_Chinonso)
Thieves broke into Saint Mulumba Parish in Owerri and stole the Blessed Sacrament in a Monstrance. Archbishop Lucius Ugorji directs one week of reparation prayers across the archdiocese.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri has confirmed a sacrilegious break-in at St. Mulumba Parish, Wetheral Road, in which thieves made off with a monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, April 29, 2026, when unidentified individuals exploited heavy rainfall to gain entry. According to a circular from the Archdiocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Patrick C. Mbarah, the perpetrators removed sections of the Chapel Roof, descended through the ceiling, and entered the Chapel of Adoration where the monstrance was reserved.
Archbishop Responds with Prayer and Discipline
Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, Archbishop of Owerri, has issued two directives in response.
First, all parishioners of St. Mulumba are to observe a one-week prayer of reparation, running from Friday, May 1 to Friday, May 8, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.
Second, every priest in the archdiocese must immediately review and enforce existing norms governing Eucharistic exposition and adoration. The Archbishop stressed that the Blessed Sacrament must never be left unattended during periods of exposition, and that such exposition should only proceed when adequate attendance by the faithful is certain.
Canonical Context
The directive references Canon 942, which states that Eucharistic exposition should not occur unless a sufficient number of faithful are present to warrant it. The Archbishop’s reminder signals concern that lapses in vigilance may have contributed to the theft.
Under Canon 1367, anyone who deliberately desecrates the Eucharist incurs automatic excommunication (latae sententiae). Church authorities have not indicated whether the perpetrators understood the sacred nature of what they took.
A Call for Reparation, Not Retribution
The Archdiocese’s response prioritizes spiritual repair over condemnation. The faithful are invited to offer their prayers, sacrifices, and adoration in reparation for the sacrilege committed.
This approach reflects the Church’s traditional teaching on reparation for outrages against the Eucharist—that the faithful, by their devotion, can console the Heart of Christ and seek the conversion of those who offend it.
How Catholics Can Join in Reparation
Even outside Owerri, Catholics may unite spiritually with the archdiocese’s week of reparation:
- Pray the Divine Praises before the Blessed Sacrament, if available
- Spend fifteen minutes in Eucharistic adoration, offering the time in reparation
- Fast or abstain from a legitimate pleasure, joining your sacrifice to the prayers in Owerri
- Pray for the conversion of the perpetrators, that they may come to understand what they have taken
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