Shock: Tabernacle stolen from El Paso church

Last updated on: November 10, 2019 at 6:49 pm by Deacon Greg Kandra

Shock: Tabernacle stolen from El Paso church 2019-11-10T18:49:37-05:00 Deacon Greg Kandra

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

“The desecration of the greatest gift possessed by the Church, the Most Blessed Sacrament, is a very serious matter.“

Facebook

Details:

Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Horizon has had one of its most sacred objects stolen — the tabernacle, which according to Catholic belief holds the body and blood of Christ.

The metal container is regarded as one of the most sacred objects in any Catholic Church and is used to house the Eucharist.

The parish priest immediately called police for help after the break-in and theft, but now a call has gone out through the whole Diocese as they ask Catholics to pray.

“It’s difficult for us to grasp who or why they could have done this,” said Father Jose Morales.

The church was broken into during the last week of October, and now Father Morales is putting out a statement to ask people for their help and prayers.

The loss and desecration came as a powerful blow to long-devoted parishioners.

“When we heard the news about it we felt bad, we couldn’t believe that it had happened here of course in the neighborhood and of course in a Catholic Church,” said Roberto Ceballos, who has been a church parishioner for 20 years.

The theft was not just a blow to their spirituality or sense of community, now their sense of safety is also being threatened.

“I don’t feel secure now… It’s just a half-block away from my house,” Ceballos said.

For Father Morales, this theft was the same as someone breaking into his home. But on top of the theft, he said it’s the violation of the most sacred part of a church itself — the physical presence of God. Now, he just wants to see the tabernacle and its sacrament back home.

Read more.

The pastor posted the following message on the parish website:

Sunday night into Monday morning we had some intruders in the church that caused damages and stole items including the tabernacle with the Blessed Sacrament. The damages to the building were minor and the stolen items amount to a few thousand dollars. However, the desecration of the greatest gift possessed by the Church, the Most Blessed Sacrament, is a very serious matter.

     The Horizon Police department has been very supportive since the initial response and in the investigation. I ask that if you know any information that leads to the arrest of the perpetrators to please call Horizon PD.

     Furthermore, due to the desecration of the Blessed Sacrament I join our Bishop Mark Seitz in inviting you to make reparation for this violation by visiting the Blessed Sacrament and participating in any act of reparation.

     The indifference of the world towards God in the holiness Most Blessed Sacrament needs to be overcome with the devotion, love and the holiness of His children. Let us remain united and strong in the Lord and manifest that we are his faithful followers regardless of the violations that some express. Let us also pray that those that perpetrated these repulsive acts may repent and change their ways.

     May our Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Guadalupe, who witnessed the acts of hatred and indifference towards her beloved Son, bring us consolation and guide us closer to the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ. May the Holy Spirit protect us always.

Churches

Ripped from the headlines

El Paso

Texas

Previous Post

November 9, 2019

Cardinal Burke: 'It’s clear that the pope doesn’t want me in any leadership position'

Next Post

November 10, 2019 For the veterans, from Fulton Sheen

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category "Mad Men" 9/11 advent All Things New Amazing video amazing videos amazon america Anglicans Anti-Catholicism art ascension thursday ash wednesday Atheists baltimore Bible Bishops Blogging bonnie engstrom Books bridgeport Brooklyn Chaplains children christian art christmas Church Churches CNEWA Converts criticism Deacons Death Penalty easter eastern christian Eastern Christians Ecumenism Education education Eucharist Europe euthanasia Evangelization Exorcism Family Feasts Gay rights Good Friday Great links Great Moments in Journalism Hanging with the saints heather renshaw Hispanic Catholics Hispanics History homelies Homilies Humor Hymn of the Week Immigration indianapolis Inspiration Interfaith news ireland Jesus Jews Journalism Judaism lent Liturgy logos Marriage Mary Media Medical news Mental health Middle East Monks Movies Music Muslims My world and welcome to it New Evangelization new york News Nuns Parenting Parish life peoria Persecution politics Politics Pope pope francis pope john paul Prayer Preaching Priests Pro-life Quote of the day radio rebecca frech ripp Ripped from the headlines rippred from the headlines Sacraments saints Scripture sex abuse Sex abuse crisis SEX ABUSE CRISIS TAGGED WITH: SEX ABUSE CRISIS The people in the pews the visitation project theatre This & that Thomas Merton Trappists TV Uncategorized uncategorized Vatican VATICAN vocation Vocations Voices & Views Women Worth a thousand words Writing Year of Faith year of mercy young people

Select a Month December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

In which city did David reign seven years before becoming king over all Israel?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Bethlehem Shechem Hebron Jerusalem

Books by This Author Books by Deacon Greg Kandra

See All Titles »