SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — A relic was stolen from the Cathedral of the Madeleine.
Marie Mischel, Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City, said the relic of Saint Mary Magdalene was stolen from the Cathedral of the Madeleine on the morning of July 10.
The theft was discovered at about 7 a.m. when one of the cathedral staff found the broken reliquary on the floor beneath the crucifix.
Father Martin Diaz, rector of the cathedral, said it appeared to be an act of theft and not vandalism.
“This was a person looking for something of value to sell,” he said. “It is likely that he picked up the reliquary, but once he got it off the shelf could not hold it, as it is very heavy. Once it was broken open, he took the one thing that appeared sellable.”
According to the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City, the relic was brought to Salt Lake City in 1918 by Bishop Joseph S. Glass. It has been housed in the reliquary for more than 100 years.
The relic is annually displayed as an invitation to prayer on two days: Easter Sunday and July 22nd — the Solemnity of St. Mary Magdalene — “the day on which Catholics throughout the world recall the heroic life of this early woman follower of Jesus,” the Catholic Diocese said.
The Catholic Diocese is now working with the Salt Lake Police Department to recover the relic.
“This is a very disturbing loss,” Diaz said. “We want to make every effort to find and restore this treasure for the people in Utah.”
A reward of $1,000 is being offered for its return or for information leading to its return. Anyone with information is asked to contact Fr. Diaz at (602) 318-5555.
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