The Owerri Catholic Archdiocese Ecclesiastical Province, has called for prayers over a missing Monstrance – a sacred vessel that contains the Holy Eucharist.

The incident occurred at St.Mulumba Catholic Parish, Owerri, where robbers broke into the church premises and made away with the item containing the blessed sacrament.

Speaking on the incident, the Priest incharge of the parish, Rev. Fr. Raymond Madu, disclosed that unidentified individuals gained unlawful access into the sacred space by tampering with sections of the chapel’s roofing structure before descending through the ceiling into the Adoration Chapel.

He said the unidentified suspects reportedly carted away the Monstrance, which contained the Blessed Sacrament.

The development according to him, has stirred widespread grief among the faithful, as the Blessed Sacrament represents the real presence of Christ in Catholic doctrine, making its desecration a deeply distressing violation of sacred tradition and belief.

Following the incident, the Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, has directed immediate spiritual measures aimed at retrieving the missing item.

A statement released by the Archdiocesan Chancellor, Rev.Fr. Patrick Mbara, said the archbishop mandated a one week period of reparation prayers among the Catholic community in the Parish.

The prayer, according to the directive, is scheduled to commence on May 1, 2026, and end on May 8, 2026, holding daily between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm.

The archdiocesan chancellor stated that the measure signifies the church’s emphasis on spiritual healing and response in the face of sacrilege.

Beyond the local parish, the archbishop also issued a strict directive to all priests within the archdiocese, urging them to comply with established liturgical norms guiding Eucharistic exposition and adoration.

“This is essential in preventing similar occurrences in future. Blessed Sacrament must never be left unattended during exposition.Such sacred moments demand both vigilance and reverence, in line with Canon Law provisions.

Exposition of Blessed Sacrament should only take place when there is a reasonable expectation of sufficient attendance by the faithful, ensuring that the sacred presence is continuously honored and safeguarded,” the statement added.

The archdiocese used the medium to reaffirm its commitment to guiding the faithful with pastoral care and spiritual leadership, emphasizing that even in moments of desecration, faith remains unshaken.