Is Nothing Sacred

Detectives with the Tyler (Texas) Police Department are investigating the weekend burglary of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on South Broadway.

Don Martin, the department's public information officer, said police were called to the church Saturday when officials learned two key items from the sanctuary had been stolen.
Martin said the theft of the Bishop's chair and a crucifix was an estimated loss of about $3,000. Martin also added there had been no reported church burglaries in Tyler in the past several months.
"We haven't had really any burglaries at local churches, but we have had some thefts of purses while people were at lunch or left the room for something," he said.
Monsignor Joe Strickland said the burglary occurred Saturday morning between 9 and 11 a.m.
"I went in to prepare for a wedding and I noticed the Bishop's chair (called a Cathedra) and the Processional Cross were both missing," he said.
The Monsignor said it would take at least two people to carry the chair, which is made of oak and rather large.
"It is a large oak wooden chair with upholstery and the Bishop's Crest on the seat back," he said.
The Monsignor said the wooden cross is between four and five feet tall with the body of Christ on it.
"My first thought was who could have borrowed them and why - then I realized the items had been stolen," he said. "I have heard that having your home robbed leaves you feeling violated and this is our spiritual home."
The Monsignor said the church has been vandalized in the past, but he could not recall a burglary.
Anyone with information about the burglary is encouraged to contact the Tyler Police Department at (903) 531-1000 or Crimestoppers at (903) 597-2833.