Brass cross stolen from Anglican church

Churches seem to be getting a lot of attention from burglars these days.

On Sunday, February 22, a burglar (or burglars) is said to have removed a cross from the altar of the St George’s Cathedral in Kingstown

Addressing the issue last Wednesday March 4, Dean of the Cathedral Reverend Patrick McIntosh {{more}}said that two Sundays ago (in the afternoon) while attempting to record a television programme at the church, it was discovered that the 20 inch brass cross was missing.

Dean McIntosh said it is his opinion that the cross was stolen after church finished that Sunday.

He said that persons left the church at about 10 a.m. and when he and some others went back in the afternoon the cross was missing. He stressed that the cross is very heavy and has been in the church for over 50 years as an altar cross and a symbol of the Anglican faith. Dean McIntosh places the cost of the holy relic at around US$2,000 or even more.

“It was extremely solid, and it was there for a number of years,” stressed McIntosh who added that the cross was stolen despite the fact that the church is guarded by personnel from Elite Security from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Weekdays and from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Saturday to Monday.

McIntosh said that this is not the first incident of theft at the Church as in the past, carpets have been stolen.

He said at one point they had security cameras in the Cathedral but they were damaged by an unknown entity. He said the problem is compounded by the fact that they do not want to keep the doors of the church closed like other churches do.

“Stealing from the church has become a problem. I have been in contact with Elite Security and they may pay back for it as they were charged with securing the church,” said the priest.

“When something like this is happening, you ask yourself where we are as a nation”, said McIntosh who is of the opinion that the trafficking in various types of metals may have been the reason why the cross was removed.

“Persons are getting good prices for types of metals and people melt them so this is perhaps a trade and the person saw the opportunity because the Church is always open. Whoever took it probably did an assessment and looked for the best opportunity,” opined Dean McIntosh.

He also revealed that the Anglican Church at Lowmans was burglarised in late January. The door of that church was broken and a number of chairs stolen.

Also on Friday February 20, at around 6 p.m., the St Catherine’s Spiritual Baptist Church at Kingstown Park was broken into and two church bells and $400 stolen. Meanwhile, on Saturday morning January 3, the janitor at the Anglican Church of the Ascension at Sion Hill turned up to work, only to discover the church’s altar on fire.