Archbishop Elias Gonsalves of Nagpur in central India has announced a Day of Penance and Reparation following the theft of a tabernacle containing the Blessed Sacrament from a Catholic institution in the archdiocese.
“With deep sorrow and grave pastoral concern, I wish to inform you of a distressing incident that has taken place at the Prayer Hall of St Claret School, Buttibori, Nagpur, within our Archdiocese,” the archbishop said in a pastoral message released on January 17
According to the message, during the night of January 14, 2026, unknown persons unlawfully gained entry into the school premises, forcibly entered the office, and removed the tabernacle containing the Blessed Sacrament from the prayer hall located adjacent to the principal’s office.
“Despite the immediate intervention of the civil authorities and the lodging of a police complaint, the Sacred Species have not yet been recovered, and their present condition and whereabouts remain unknown,” the pastoral letter noted.
While no act of profanation has been established within the prayer hall itself, the unlawful removal of the Most Holy Eucharist constitutes a grave offence and poses a serious danger of sacrilege. “As your shepherd, I feel compelled to invite the entire Archdiocese to unite in prayer, penance, and reparation, entrusting this painful situation to the mercy of God,” the archbishop said.
In response, Archbishop Gonsalves decreed that Friday, January 23, 2026, be observed throughout the Archdiocese of Nagpur as a Day of Penance and Reparation.
“While liturgical celebrations will continue as scheduled in parishes and institutions, I mandate that an hour of Eucharistic Adoration be observed in all churches and religious houses of the Archdiocese of Nagpur, at a time suitable to the faithful or the religious community,” he declared.
The deans of the respective deaneries have been asked to ensure the solemn observance of the day within their deaneries and to submit a report to the archbishop.
Concluding his pastoral letter, Archbishop Gonsalves said: “Let us unite in fervent prayer, seeking God’s mercy and making amends for this grievous offence against the Holy Eucharist.”
(With inputs from Purushottam Nayak)
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