Archdiocese of Malta reports theft of relics from Ħal Kirkop Parish Church

The Archdiocese of Malta reported the theft of several relics from the St. Leonard the Abbot Parish Church in Ħal Kirkop. The stolen items were kept in a reliquary behind the main altar, which showed no signs of forced entry.

The parish priest filed a report with the Żurrieq Police Station after verifying the relics were missing and had not been moved to another location within the church. The Archdiocese described the theft as a sacrilegious and criminal act and joined the parish priest in asking for the relics to be returned.

The San Leonardu A.D. 1858 stated that the stolen items included a relic of St. Leonard. The society criticized the parish priest for failing to keep the sacred objects in a secure, locked location and for not reporting the theft to the police immediately.