[MSN] DETROIT -- Parishioners at St. Andrew's Church on the city's west side this morning discovered that thieves had stolen several items of deep religious significance and vandalized the church as well.

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Wednesday, October 24, 2007
St. Andrew's in Detroit vandalized and looted
Santiago Esparza / The Detroit News

DETROIT -- Parishioners at St. Andrew's Church on the city's west side this
morning discovered that thieves had stolen several items of deep religious
significance and vandalized the church as well.

The incident was discovered about 8 a.m. today, the Archdiocese of Detroit
said in a press release. The church is at 7060 McGraw.

"This is the second break-in at St. Andrew," said the Rev. Ed Zaorski, vicar
of the Southwest Vicariate of the Archdiocese of Detroit. "Churches
throughout the area have been experiencing a rash of break-ins recently as
thieves try to steal whatever they can and strip them of copper."

Thieves broke a window at the church to get inside, the archdiocese said.
Once inside, the thieves stole a tabernacle and chalice, an altar
candelabra, the top of the baptismal font and other items, the archdiocese
said.

After discovering the break-in, the Rev. Julian Chmura, pastor of St.
Andrew's, moved the morning mass to the parish social hall and celebrated it
there.

You can reach Santiago Esparza at (313) 222-2127 or sesparza at detnews.com.

 
http://www.detnews.com/