The administration of St. John Don Bosco Parish acknowledged security lapses after several liturgical items were stolen Feb. 11, one of four recent thefts targeting Catholic churches in the province.
The Rev. Elpidio Silug, parish priest, said the sacristy — the room where sacred vessels are kept — was left unlocked, providing an easy opportunity for the intruder.
“We were overtrusting, as we did not expect that we would be robbed,” Silug said. “Hence, we no longer felt the need to always lock the sacristy.”
Silug, who has served the parish for three years, said this was the first theft he had encountered during his tenure. He noted the difficulty of balancing security with the church’s mission to remain accessible.
“We cannot lock the church because anybody can come, enter to worship for their personal prayer, or for a visit to the Blessed Sacrament,” he said.
Despite the incident, security guards said the parish continues to maintain its regular 5 p.m. closing time.
The stolen items include a chalice, a paten, a ciborium, and an altar server’s bell. Silug emphasized that while the items are integral to the Mass, their monetary value likely motivated the thief.
“They are truly expensive because they are made of special metals; they are not just made of ordinary material,” Silug said, expressing concern that the items may have already been sold.
The Diocese of Baguio Social Communications office issued a statement March 15 urging the public to be wary of liturgical items sold by unauthorized sources. The diocese asked anyone with information to contact the Curia Information Office or local parishes.
Other affected parishes in Benguet include Conversion of St. Paul in Tuba, Immaculate Conception in Sablan, and the Our Lady of Fatima in Tuding.
Local authorities are currently investigating the case. While the parish awaits updates, Silug said the community remains hopeful the items will be recovered. Kyla Macapanas/UP Baguio Intern