The Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri has confirmed the desecration of the Chapel of Adoration at St. Mulumba Parish, Wetheral Road, Owerri, after unidentified persons broke into the church and carted away the Blessed Sacrament.
In a statement issued on Thursday, April 30, 2026, and signed by the Archdiocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Patrick C. Mbarah, the incident was said to have occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, April 29, 2026, during heavy rainfall.
“As reported by the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Raymond Madu, unknown persons opened parts of the roof, gained access through the ceiling, and made away with the monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament,” the statement read.
According to Rev. Fr. Mbarah, the intruders took advantage of the rain to carry out the act. They tampered with sections of the roof, entered the Chapel of Adoration through the ceiling, and removed the monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament, which Catholics believe is the body of Jesus Christ present in the Eucharist.
“It is with great sadness that we inform you of the desecration of the Chapel of Adoration of St. Mulumba Parish, Wetheral Road, Owerri,” the letter stated. “It is alleged that this incident occurred during rainfall in the early hours of Wednesday, April 29, 2026.”
Reacting to the incident, the Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, directed parishioners of St. Mulumba Parish to observe a one-week prayer of reparation from Friday, May 1 to Friday, May 8, 2026, between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. daily.
“Following this act of irreverence, the Archbishop, His Grace, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, hereby directs all parishioners of St. Mulumba Parish, Owerri, to observe a one-week prayer of reparation from Friday, May 1 to Friday, May 8, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily,” the statement said.
The Archdiocese also used the opportunity to remind all priests serving in the Owerri Archdiocese to strictly comply with norms and directives guiding the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and adoration. “We emphasise that exposition is to take place only when a fitting attendance of the faithful is assured (cf. Can. 942). The Blessed Sacrament must never be left unattended during exposition,” Rev. Fr. Mbarah stressed.
The Imo State Police Command is yet to make a statement over the development, as efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer proved abortive by the time of this report.
Church authorities described the incident as deeply disturbing and a serious offence within the Church, calling for calm among members of the parish community while investigations continue. The Archdiocese noted that the chapel was specifically targeted during the rain, which may have helped the suspects avoid detection. It was not immediately clear how many persons were involved in the break-in or whether they had been identified.
