UWS Church Hosts Mass For First Time Since Shocking Theft
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Morning masses were held Sunday at the Holy Trinity Church on the Upper West Side, for the first time since vandals broke into the church last week.
As CBS2's Dave Carlin reported, Sunday Mass at the church, at 213 W. 82nd St., included a guest – Bishop John O'Hara – who was the bearer of bad news.
He publically revealed a shocking theft the church. A bronze door behind a cloth is usually locked, but someone got in and damaged the door,
"Pried open the tabernacle door and took the Blessed Sacrament, which we believe is the real presence of Jesus Christ," O'Hara said.
"They took a bowl," said the Rev. Msgr. Thomas P. Sandi, pastor of the church. "It's metal coated in gold of the Holy Communion hosts, and also another container with another host in it."
It was a violation in a place that is trusting.
There are no security cameras in the church. In light of what happened, that could change.
"We will consider it, yes," Sandi said.
Other area Catholic churches are grappling with security concerns after recent theft and threats.
In July, the walls of the Church of St. Catherine of Genoa in Harlem were painted with ominous messages that referenced "Allah" and warned "you must pay" and "wake up."
And earlier this month, caught on video were three people up to no good in front of the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue outside the Saints Peter and Paul Church in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. A man attempted to high-five the statue and kiss it, and broke the base and damaged the plaster.
The same week on Long Island, vandals used duct tape to demean and scar a Virgin Mary statue at Hewlett's St. Joseph Catholic Church.
While the crimes are not considered linked, Catholic leaders see a trend.
"The brokenness and sadness we have in our society that seems to be increasing," said Bishop O'Hara.
"In today's day and age, everything is possible," a woman at the church added.
The prayers at Holy Trinity were for more than justice. The congregants want troubled vandals and thieves caught so they can be forgiven and helped.
Church officials said they have not estimated how much it would cost to replace the stolen items.
