Theft of Relics in the Church of Honfleur
On July 15th the church of Saint-Léonard was a victim of theft. Parish priest Pascal Marie discovered that the contents of four relics were stolen. One relic is of special value, as it enshrines the bones of Saint Boniface, which are said to date back to the 8th century. The case was reported to the police. The estimation of the damage is difficult to evaluate because only the bones were stolen and the other valuable objects left behind.
"We still don't understand why people stole human bones. It's like we've desecrated the graves of our own families!" said Father Pascal Marie. "I am horrified and very sad, we are making a great effort to restore the splendor of this church, which receives more and more visitors, I have had the statue of St. Joseph placed there, candlesticks, and this is what is happening. It is a real lack of respect."
"Whatever the motivation is of the people who did this, it is a desecration! Whether they wanted to attack the relics out of conviction or to practice rites that would not be Catholic, for us it is above all an attack on these Saints who are full members of our family."
Sources: Actu, Le Parisien
Symbolic photo