The churches of Truyes and Lignières-de-Touraine were desecrated and consecrated hosts were stolen. Four other churches in the diocese of Tours suffered identical events in the same week.
The criminals broke into the tabernacles to steal the ciborium, the chalice containing the consecrated hosts. Wood shavings under the small door of the tabernacle still bear witness to the break-in. Nothing else was stolen; the motive of the criminals remains unknown.
Archbishop Vincent Jordy spoke of "strategic actions" by a small group. It is suspected in the diocese that these thefts could be used to perform 'black rites'. Complaints have been lodged. The churches will remain open, the diocese said.