Consecrated Hosts Stolen from Church in Dampierre-les-Bois
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.”
Source: estrepublicain
Photo: wikipedia
