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🇧🇪 Belgium /Crime & Justice

Valuable church artifacts stolen from St. Nicholas Church in Liedekerke

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Several valuable liturgical artifacts, including a silver chalice and host dish, have been stolen from St. Nicholas Church in Liedekerke, Belgium.
  • The stolen items hold significant emotional value for Pastor Sven Bosmans, who received them 25 years ago upon his priestly ordination.
  • Police are investigating the theft, and the pastor hopes for the items' anonymous return without legal consequences.

Police in Liedekerke, Belgium, are investigating the theft of several valuable liturgical artifacts from the St. Nicholas Church. The stolen items include a silver chalice, a host dish, ampoules for water and wine, and a matching dish.

Pastor Sven Bosmans expressed deep distress over the loss, emphasizing the items' profound emotional significance. "The pieces have considerable material value, but the emotional value is much greater for me," he stated. "I received them all at my priestly ordination 25 years ago. The chalice, for instance, bears an inscription referring to the donor and my ordination date."

The pieces have considerable material value, but the emotional value is much greater for me. I received them all at my priestly ordination 25 years ago. The chalice, for instance, bears an inscription referring to the donor and my ordination date.

— Sven BosmansPastor Sven Bosmans described the emotional significance of the stolen artifacts.

The pastor, who is soon to leave the pastoral zone, hopes the stolen items will be returned anonymously. "This can be done anonymously and without legal consequences," he urged. "Whoever is in possession of the items or is aware of them, I ask them to contact us. The return can happen with all discretion."

This can be done anonymously and without legal consequences. Whoever is in possession of the items or is aware of them, I ask them to contact us. The return can happen with all discretion.

— Sven BosmansPastor Sven Bosmans appealed for the anonymous return of the stolen items.
About this summary

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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