The Archdiocese of Mérida-Badajoz has urged parish priests and abbesses to heighten security measures in churches and convents in response to a wave of thefts recorded in recent days in the southern part of the province of Badajoz. The measure follows recent attacks on the religious heritage of Jerez de los Caballeros and Barcarrota.
In a letter addressed to those responsible for the temples, the vicar general, Francisco Maya, and the episcopal delegate for Heritage, Agustín Velázquez, warn of the situation and note that the archdiocese is acting in coordination with the Government Delegation. The goal is “to prevent, as far as possible, new episodes of this kind.”
The document requests that crowns, jewels, paintings, images, chalices and other valuable objects be “well protected” and recommends installing alarm systems and security cameras or replacing those that have become obsolete.
The warning comes after two churches in the province were robbed in just four days. As reported by InfoVaticana, in the early hours of Friday, September 4, several thieves entered the church of Santa Catalina in Jerez de los Caballeros and stole, among other items, the two crowns of the Virgin of the Rosary and objects belonging to the Christ of the Confraternity of Santo Domingo de Guzmán. The initial valuation of the stolen goods was around 50,000 euros.
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Days earlier, the disappearance of various jewels belonging to Our Lady María Santísima del Soterraño, patroness of Barcarrota, had been discovered. Among the stolen items were chains, necklaces and medallions given by local residents as promises and ex-votos, as well as a ceremonial staff donated to the Virgin by a former mayor.
In light of this situation, the Archdiocese has also requested that, after processions, valuable objects be removed from the images of Christ and the Virgin and that special attention be paid to doors, windows, courtyards, secondary entrances and access points to the temples from other parish facilities.
In the event of theft, the instruction is to file a report “immediately” with the Civil Guard, without waiting several days or limiting the report to the insurance company. The vicar general and the episcopal delegate for Heritage must also be informed.
The letter further recommends not altering the scene of the theft in order to facilitate the collection of evidence by investigators and to keep photographs of the furnishings and jewels so they can be identified in case of theft.
“All the Church’s cultural heritage is born of faith and the will of the faithful,” the Archdiocese reminds, emphasizing that it is the responsibility of parish priests and abbesses to protect these assets and “pass them on to future generations.”
The archdiocese maintains contact with the Government Delegation to study new protection measures and forms of collaboration in response to the thefts.