AdvertisementWhen he entered the church, he came across the destruction, finding the Eucharist — commonly unleavened bread or wafers — strewn about the altar. Statues of angels on either side of the tabernacle were “decapitated and destroyed,” as well, the diocese said. Tumino speculated that multiple people were involved in the heist, considering the immense weight of the tabernacle. Although police said the tabernacle was solid gold, Father Robert Whelan said in a 2013 program about the church that it was solid silver coated in 18-karat gold. Whelan said in the program that it was “probably the most elaborate tabernacle in the country.”Jaclyn Peiser contributed to this report.

Source: Washington Post May 31, 2022 16:58 UTC