A more than century-old, $2 million jeweled tabernacle was stolen from a Brooklyn church by a demonic thief who also decapitated an angel statue — and stole its head — in a rampage the church’s pastor described as “very, very violent,” police said Sunday.
The Diocese of Brooklyn said Sunday the cruel crook “cut through a metal protective casing” to get to the 127-year-old tabernacle inside, mauling other statuary in the process.
“It was just, to them it was nothing,” the Rev. Frank Tumino said. “So that was just up there with all of the other refuge.”
“The whole entire right side is what’s left of [one] angel,” he said. “On the left side, that whole piece, all of that was just broken to pieces. I think they were forcing to get it out.”
St. Augustine Catholic Church in Park Slope was closed for construction when the blasphemous burglar struck sometime between 6:30 p.m. Thursday and 4 p.m. Saturday, police said.
The callous crook got inside the church on Sixth Ave. near Sterling Place and cut open the ornate altar, swiping the pure 18-karat gold tabernacle, cops said. The thief also made off with the severed head of an angel statue.
Tumino noticed the church’s front door ajar just before 4 p.m. Saturday. When he walked inside, he smelled steel shavings and his heart dropped.
“Right in the pit of my stomach,” Tumino said. “For Catholics, the Eucharist is so central and so significant, that after I collected myself, I went to see where the Eucharist was. And within all the metal shavings was the ciborium, that’s the vessel that holds the Eucharist, and that was strewn.
The tabernacle also stores the bread and wine priests bless and bring to the bedside of sick parishioners.
Also stolen were the digital recordings of surveillance footage inside and outside the church. Tumino does not believe there is any backup video police will be able to use to track them down.
Responding officers poured over the church, dusting for fingerprints as they worked to wrap their head around the evil crime.
“They equally were horrified,” Tumino said. “I can’t tell you how many of the officers, varying levels, just kept on sharing that this is so horrendous, this is so unbelievable.”
The church’s website describes the tabernacle as “a masterpiece and one of the most expensive tabernacles in the country, guarded by its own security system.”
The precious metals and stones adorning the tabernacle come from coins and jewelry donated by parishioners, according to the website.
The church describes the security system as an “electronically operated burglar-proof safe” with “1-inch-thick ‘hardenized’ steel plates which roll on ball bearings and completely enclose the tabernacle.”
The tabernacle, as well as most items donated by worshipers, are protected by members of clergy under church law and are to remain inside the parish at all times.
“And so they’re not supposed to show up in an antique store or show up in someone’s coffee shop,” the priest said. “So that’s why these things are just invaluable. And to parishioners here they’re invaluable because they’re part of their prayer life.”
“It’s priceless because it’s historical,” Tumino continued. “The tabernacle would’ve been one of those things that was highly prized. And where its value is, is that the people of the parish donated it. It’s what people of our past gave us.”
There were no signs of a forced entry, but a lock on the front door was broken from the inside, leaving Tumino with swirling thoughts of someone hiding in the church overnight.
“I know it’s easy for people to say, ‘Yeah it was an inside job’ but the reality is these are also very public buildings,” Tumino said. “So even online there’s a history of this church, and it does say that there is a tabernacle that’s very extraordinary. So information is accessible. And because churches are available for weddings and funerals and for Mass, people do come in and out.”
At a Sunday noon Mass, Tumino described the depth of the loss.
“This beautiful place has been your place of prayer, has been your place of welcome, has been your place to find solace and consolation, has been your place to learn about Jesus and to grow ever more faithful in following him closely,” Tumino said to grief-stricken worshippers. “Having the tabernacle stolen is truly something that jars our faith.”
As people filed out of the church, they, too, were confused and outraged about the heartless theft and damage.
“This is such a shock, I don’t know how to react,” said Sharon Dawson, 55. “It’s such an act of evil, when everybody’s trying to hold on — especially with everything that’s happened. You can just pray … pray for more good and love in the world.”
Others said they will work together to raise money to replace the multimillion-dollar tabernacle.
“Now I’m really, really angry,” said Michael Okebiyi, 58. “We’re trying to raise money. So now that’s just set us back, another $2 million. We’re trying to fix the church.”
At a news conference, Tumino pleaded with whoever took the tabernacle to keep it intact.
“As a human being I’d wanna say, ‘You’ve taken away something that is so beautiful, that has given people beauty in the midst of the ugliness of their lives at times,” Tumino said. “And that you know if there’s any chance that this would return to us, you know, it’s significant to us and that it’s sacred. So a sacred thing should not be sold. A sacred thing should not be melted down. A sacred thing should be really protected.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.
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