Owerri Catholic Community Goes Into 1-Week Prayer Over Desecration Of Adoration Chapel, Stealing of Blessed Sacrament By Suspected Thiefs

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Owerri Catholic Community Goes Into 1-Week Prayer Over Desecration Of Adoration Chapel By Suspected Thiefs

By Onyekachi Eze

Worshippers at the St. Mulumba’s Catholic Parish, Owerri, Imo State, have been tasked on a one-week compulsory reparatory prayers following the desecration of the Chapel of Adoration of the Church by suspected robbers.

The order was convened through a circular dated April 30, 2026, and signed by the Archdiocesan Chancellor/Secretary, Rev. Fr. Patrick . Mbarah, as directed by the Archbishop, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji.

Addressing all Priests, Religious and the Laity, the letter reads, “It is with great sadness that we inform you of the desecration of the Chapel of

Adoration of St. Mulumba Parish Wetheral Road Owerri. As reported by the

Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Raymond Madu, unknown person(s) opened some parts of

the roof of the building, jumped into the Chapel of Adoration through the ceiling

and made away with the Monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament. It is

alleged that this ugly incident happened while it was raining in the wee hours of

Wednesday 29 April, 2026”.

The Archbishop disgusted over the act, however described it as a reckless irreverence to the body of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Eucharist and a desecration of the house of prayer.

Sequel to this, all the parishioners of St. Mulumba’s Parish, Owerri were urged to hold a one-week prayer of reparation starting on Friday, 1st May to 8th May, 2026 from from 4:00pm to 6:00pm daily.

Also, Ugorji warned all Priests working in Owerri Archdiocese to adhere

strictly to all the norms and directives regarding Exposition of the Blessed

Sacrament and Adoration to avoid any future occurrence.

“We hereby stress that Exposition is to take place only if a fiting attendance of the faithful is foreseen (cf. Can. 942). The Blessed Sacrament must never be left unattended during Exposition”, it reads.