A burglary accompanied by extensive damage targeted the church of Dampierre-les-Bois during the night of 13–14 April 2026. Among the items stolen was a ciborium containing consecrated hosts. The parish priest described the act as “More than a simple theft, it’s desecration!”, expressing deep shock at what he characterised as an attack on the sacred.
During the night from Sunday to Monday, 13-14 April 2026, the Catholic church of Dampierre-les-Bois in eastern France was broken into and vandalised. The perpetrators forced entry by breaking the main wooden door, reportedly using a crowbar.
Once inside, the individuals searched the church and adjoining rooms, breaking open tabernacles and damaging religious furnishings. Several gilded and silver chalices were stolen, along with a ciborium containing consecrated hosts kept within the tabernacle.
Father Benjamin Nkembo-Kuape, parish priest, reacted strongly to the incident. “More than a simple theft, it’s desecration!” he stated. Referring specifically to the theft of the consecrated hosts, he added: “This is where burglary becomes a desecration, it is very sad to attack the sacred in this way.”