$2 million gold tabernacle stolen from Brooklyn church 

An 18-karat golden tabernacle worth $2 million was stolen from a Catholic church in Brooklyn over the weekend, New York City Police Department (NYPD) reported. 

The thieves used power tools to “forcefully cut open” the altar, decapitating statues of angels that were flanking it in the process, the police added. 

The theft that “desecrated the most Holy Eucharist and the altar” of St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church in Park Slope took place sometime on Friday, May 27, according to a statement by the Diocese of Brooklyn. It was discovered by the pastor the following day.  

The @BrooklynDiocese is announcing the #NYPD is investigating a brazen crime of disrespect and hate, which desecrated the most Holy Eucharist and altar at @StAugustineRC located in Park Slope. The burglar cut through a metal protective casing and made off with the Tabernacle. pic.twitter.com/hMbLoSSkWa

— Brooklyn Diocese Press Office (@BQDiocesePress) May 29, 2022

The golden tabernacle that housed the Holy Eucharist was made in the 1890s, when the church was built. According to the church’s website, the tabernacle was restored in 1952 and 2000.

“This holy sacramental receptacle is irreplaceable due to its historical and artistic value,” the Diocese added. 

During the time of the theft, the church was closed for construction. The church’s pastor added that the camera recordings from the security system were also stolen. 

“This is devastating, as the Tabernacle is the central focus of our church outside of worship, holding the Body of Christ, the Eucharist, which is delivered to the sick and homebound,” said Father Frank Tumino, pastor of St. Augustine. 

“To know that a burglar entered the most sacred space of our beautiful Church and took great pains to cut into a security system is a heinous act of disrespect,” continued Tumino.

The NYPD is looking for any information regarding the theft.