Stolen jewellery priceless but uninsured

The antique gold jewellery stolen on Saturday from the statue of Our Lady of Graces in Żabbar parish church was priceless but uninsured.

The haul included six rings, two bracelets, two necklaces, and a pair of earrings, parish priest Fr Sebastian Caruana said.

Police sources confirmed the jewellery was invaluable. Two men have been arrested and are expected to be arraigned in the coming days.

The theft had gone unnoticed until the first Sunday Mass at 6 a.m. when Fr Caruana went to open the tabernacle for Holy Communion. It was then he realised the lock had been tampered with and he immediately called the police. Soon afterwards, Fr Caruana found that the lock of the statue's niche had been broken and the jewellery on the Madonna was missing.

Traditionally, the statue, which dates back to the 18th century, is decorated with jewellery, usually heirlooms left by a family after a grace is granted.

However, the bulk of the jewellery and, certainly, the best pieces are deposited in a bank for safekeeping throughout the year. They are only placed on the statue during the feast, celebrated on the first Sunday after September 8.

The thieves may have made their way into the church by scaling the scaffolding being used in connection with restoration works on the façade. They are thought to have gone through the belfry and then gained access to the church.

A laptop and money from collection boxes were also stolen.