Hoodlums break into Catholic chapel, cart away Blessed Sacrament in Owerri
Archdiocese of Owerri Confirms Desecration of Worship Chapel
Owerri, Nigeria — The Archdiocese of Owerri has reported the desecration of the Chapel of Adoration at St. Mulumba Parish, following a break-in that resulted in the theft of the Blessed Sacrament.
A statement issued Thursday by Rev. Fr. Patrick C. Mbarah, Chancellor of the Archdiocese, indicated that the incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday during heavy rainfall. The announcement was shared on the official social media page of the Ahiara Catholic Diocese.
Rev. Fr. Raymond Madu, the parish priest, stated that the perpetrators accessed the chapel by removing sections of the roof and entering through the ceiling. They reportedly left the scene with the monstrance that contained the Blessed Sacrament.
In response to the incident, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji has called for parishioners of St. Mulumba Parish to participate in a week of prayer for reparation. The prayer will take place daily from May 1 to May 8, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
