When Father Frank Tumino entered the sanctuary of St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church. in brooklyn on Saturday for in start of what was supposed to be beautiful holiday weekend, sacred cathedral space something was missing special — worth 2 million dollars.
Someone, Father Tumino discovered, had clearly entered the church. with a power saw, cut the altar in which was the Holy Eucharist – items used for communion ceremony – stolen tabernacle of solid gold of the altar and beheaded the statue of angel. Saint items taken from the tabernacle were scattered all over the altar.
“TO know that the robber penetrated the most sacred space of our beautiful church and took great trying to hit a security system this is a heinous act of disrespect,” Father Tumino said. in statement issued on Sunday Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn.
Church, large stone building sheltered in heart of the area of Park Slope and known as areaNotre Dame started out as an anchor for German and Irish Catholic Communities of Brooklyn in 1888. stolen tabernacle in solid 18 carat gold plated in jewelry and is estimated at about $ 2 million. made the same year according to the police.
Investigators believe the burglary took place between 5:30 pm Thursday and 4:00 pm Saturday, police said. At that time, the church was closed and under construction, and the security cameras in the sanctuary were not filmed. operating- said the police.
This was reported in the Brooklyn diocese. in his announcement that church officials believed the breakthrough happened sometime on Friday. Safety in the church was also cut, but it was empty, reported in the diocese in statement.
In a statement, the diocese called the theft “brazen”. crime of disrespect and hatred. The police said crime not currently under investigation as being related to bias. The suspect has not yet been identified, and law enforcement officials are still investigating whether crime committed by an individual or group- said the police.
