Mexico City, Mexico, Aug 23, 2004 / 22:00 pm
The President of the Bishops Conference of Mexico, Bishop Jose Guadalupe Martin Rabago, recommended this week that priests increase security at their churches in order to halt the theft of sacred art that has spread throughout the country.
Bishop Rabago, who also leads the Diocese of Leon, lamented the increase in church burglaries that have left Catholics in some areas “orphans,” such as a town in central Mexico where the statue of the patron saint was stolen.
“We hear frequently that the theft of sacred objects has spread. Unfortunately, not only is the artistic patrimony that belongs to the Catholic community of the people of Mexico being stolen, but also the religious symbols in which our people place all of their confidence are being attacked,” he said.
Bishop Rabago recommended parishes implement all possible means of security because “the people need these symbols in order to strengthen their own faith. To steal them in this way is to take away a maternal presence, which is a symbol of blessing, and leave the people in orphanhood.”
The bishop also underscored that priests should take special care that tabernacles be well secured and protected.