Park Slope churched blessed in wake of $2 million tabernacle's theft

Parishioners at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church said the 18-karat gold tabernacle that was stolen last week was priced at an estimated $2 million, but they said the true value of the holy item was worth much more than that.

News 12 Staff

Jun 5, 2022, 2:29 AM

Updated 915 days ago

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A Park Slope church was blessed Saturday during a special ceremony aimed at restoring the church after last week's desecration and burglary of its tabernacle.
Parishioners at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church said the 18-karat gold tabernacle that was stolen last week was priced at an estimated $2 million, but they said the true value of the holy item was worth much more than that.
Rev. Robert J. Brennan sprinkled Holy Water on the alter, on the congregants, and on the cubby where the tabernacle used to sit.
According to police, the sacred tabernacle that dates back to the 1800s was stolen at some point between last Thursday and Saturday.
Authorities said the suspect or suspects cut through the metal casing that surrounded the tabernacle.
Police are still on the hunt for that person or group of people responsible.
Following Brennan's penitential Rite of Reparation ceremony, he said the church was restored to what he called divine service.
Brennan also prayed for those suspects who are responsible.
He said that while church needed spiritual reparations following the burglary, all of humanity needs it as well.
"The material loss is saddening. The historical loss, when we realize that tabernacle came before, a bit of our history was taken from us, but above all, what brings us together week after week, our faith in the presence of Jesus, was desecrated in a terrible way," Brennan said.
Authorities ask that anyone with information on the crime or on the suspects' whereabouts or the whereabouts of that tabernacle to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.