in the Catholic "Church of our Lady" in Achern, a candlestick with great sentimental and spiritual value for the community was stolen by an unidentified perpetrator. This happened on the 1st of October and the theft was discovered at the time the church was to be locked (5.45pm). The parish secretary, Bernd Müller said that the candlestick was still there one hour before closing. Apart from the missing piece, the room's carpet was covered with white wax stains from the lit candles. The candlestick is worth around 700 euros, but the sentimental value was much higher for the community, it also contains a small box for 50 cents when someone used a candle - probably only amounting to 5-6 euros. It is hard to believe that the thieve took the candlestick for its material cost or the couple of cents.
The parish council chairperson, Regine Schwall-Geier, has said she is "deeply outraged". She believes the basic consensus that "religious spaces are to be respected - irrespective of one's own personal attitude" has been broken.
The congregation explained that they keep the church open during the day, so that people have the opportunity to take a breath and be quiet. They argue that whoever damages this place abuses the generosity of the community.