Man Sentenced for Theft of Liturgical Objects
A 43-year-old man was sentenced to two years in prison by the Quimper judicial court for stealing nearly 170 liturgical objects from churches in the Grand Ouest region of France. The court found him guilty of committing around thirty thefts from various religious buildings, highlighting a significant breach of cultural and religious integrity.
The Impact of the Thefts
During the trial, the defendant expressed confusion about his actions, stating, "I still wonder today how I could have gotten into a spiral like that. Since I was stealing from churches, I didn't feel like I was stealing from anyone." This sentiment was met with criticism from deputy prosecutor Marie-Noëlle Collobert, who emphasized that such thefts not only pillage national cultural assets but also undermine freedom of worship. She raised concerns about the lack of surveillance in many small churches and chapels, questioning how to protect these vulnerable sites.
Financial Motives Behind the Crimes
The defendant reportedly earned less than 5,000 euros from his thefts, although the judge noted a potential market value of the stolen items at approximately 35,000 euros. Of the 169 stolen objects, 33 were recovered from his vehicle, while the remaining 136 had been sold to antique dealers. The prosecutor pointed out that the proceeds from these thefts were primarily used to fund drug purchases and gambling activities.
