Bacolod church’s stolen items returned

Inside the San Sebastian Cathedral | PHOTO: Facebook page of San Sebastian Cathedral – Bacolod

BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines — A period of spiritual reparation will be observed following the return of a monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament, which was stolen from the San Sebastian Cathedral here last Saturday.

The spiritual reparation process, or the making of amends for the offenses against God and the church, has to be done before the Adoration Chapel can be reopened, said Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon on Tuesday.

“This is a very, very sad moment for the Church. We know very well from our faith that this is the most sacred possession of the Church — the Eucharist, the body of Christ,” the prelate said in a statement.

The San Sebastian Cathedral, in a statement, stressed the significance of the Blessed Sacrament: “When viewed in this light, it should pain us whenever we hear or witness offenses against the Eucharist. It is not an offense against a piece of bread, but an offense against the One we love with all of our heart, Jesus Christ.”

The monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament was stolen from the Adoration Chapel of San Sebastian Cathedral around 6:25 p.m. on Dec. 30, prompting its temporary closure until further notice.

Msgr. Ronaldo Quijano, rector of the San Sebastian Cathedral, said the monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament was found in a bag outside the gate of the church last Sunday. The thief has yet to be identified by authorities.