The Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri has expressed deep grief and condemnation following what it described as a shocking act of sacrilege at the Chapel of Adoration of St. Mulumba Parish, Wetheral Road, Owerri.
In a statement issued by the Archdiocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Patrick C. Mbarah, the Church said, “It is with great sadness that we inform you of the desecration of the Chapel of Adoration of St. Mulumba Parish, Wetheral Road, Owerri.”
According to the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Raymond Madu, unidentified persons broke into the chapel under the cover of rain in the early hours of Wednesday, April 29, 2026. The statement disclosed that the attackers “opened some parts of the roof of the building, jumped into the Chapel of Adoration through the ceiling and made away with the Monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament.”
Reacting to what it termed a grave violation of the sacred, the Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, ordered immediate spiritual measures. The statement noted, “Following this reckless irreverence, the Archbishop… hereby directs the entire parishioners of St. Mulumba Parish Owerri, to hold a one-week prayer of reparation.” The prayer programme, according to the directive, will run daily from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., from May 1 to May 8, 2026.
The Archdiocese also issued a strong reminder to clergy, stressing strict compliance with liturgical norms. It stated, “All priests working in Owerri Archdiocese are once again reminded to adhere strictly to all the norms and directives regarding Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Adoration to avoid any future occurrence.” It further emphasised that, “Exposition is to take place only if a fitting attendance of the faithful is foreseen (cf. Can. 942).”
Reiterating a key doctrinal and pastoral instruction, the statement warned in unequivocal terms: “The Blessed Sacrament must never be left unattended during Exposition.”
The incident has generated concern among the Catholic faithful, with many describing it as a disturbing attack on a sacred institution. Church authorities have urged vigilance while calling on the faithful to unite in prayer and reparation in response to what they regard as a profound desecration
