Sacred, Valuable Item Stolen From Michigan Catholic Church

JACKSON, Mich. (AP) - A sacred and valuable object has been stolen from a Jackson church.

The Jackson Citizen Patriot reports Monday St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church's monstrance — a vessel that holds the Eucharist and is valued at $10,000 — was taken when the building was broken into and ransacked. The robbery was reported last Thursday and the Rev. Chas Canoy told parishioners over the weekend.

Canoy says thieves "took the one thing in the church I hoped they wouldn't." He adds it might date back to the early 1900s.

The two-and-a-half-foot sterling silver, gold-plated monstrance was one of numerous items stolen. Authorities say it appears access was gained through an unsecured cellar door.

No arrests have been made.