Lead

Czech authorities are searching for an individual who stole the 800-year-old skull of Saint Zdislava of Lemberk from a display case inside a church in the town of Jablonné v Podještědí, according to the Police of the Czech Republic. The theft, which occurred on Tuesday evening, was captured on a grainy security camera showing a figure dressed in black clutching the relic while running between pews in the Basilica of Saint Lawrence and Saint Zdislava, police said.

Coverage comparison

Reports from the Czech Police, cited by multiple outlets including Reuters and The Guardian, indicate the incident took place between 6:00 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. local time. While initial police statements described the suspect as a man, a later clarification noted that authorities were "not sure" of the suspect's gender and were reviewing additional security footage, according to a police spokesperson.

Police have released a still image from the video, which shows a person in dark clothing and light-colored shoes carrying what is believed to be the skull. The suspect was seen exiting the basilica, and the relic has not yet been recovered. Police have appealed to the public for any information that could help locate both the perpetrator and the artifact.

The skull belongs to Saint Zdislava of Lemberk, a 13th-century noblewoman known for her charitable works. Born in 1220, she was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1995, and her relics are housed in the basilica in Jablonné v Podještědí, about 110 kilometers north of Prague.

Key claims

  • The skull was stolen from the Basilica of Saint Lawrence and Saint Zdislava in Jablonné v Podještědí on Tuesday evening. The theft was reported by police and confirmed by multiple outlets.
  • Security footage shows a figure, described by police as potentially male but not confirmed, running with the skull. The individual wore dark clothing and light-colored shoes.
  • The relic's historical and spiritual value has been described as "incalculable" by police spokesperson Dagmar Sochorová, as quoted in several reports.
  • Saint Zdislava of Lemberk, who lived from 1220 to 1252, was venerated for her compassion toward the poor. She was beatified in 1907 and canonized in 1995.

Perspectives

Archbishop Stanislav Přibyl of Prague, who also heads the Litoměřice diocese, expressed dismay at the theft, calling it "devastating news." According to remarks reported by CTK and carried by multiple outlets, Přibyl said the skull was "revered by pilgrims who traveled to Jablonné, where St. Zdislava lived and worked more than 750 years ago." He added that he found it difficult to fathom that someone would "practically in broad daylight" steal a relic whose value is "above all historical and also spiritual for believers."

As of now, no arrests have been made, and police have yet to determine the motive. They have asked anyone with information to come forward. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not ruled out the possibility that the theft was conducted on behalf of a private collector or for other purposes.

This incident highlights the continued vulnerability of religious artifacts in Europe, which are often held in high esteem by local communities but may lack the security measures found in museums. The theft of the skull is a significant loss for the local parish and the broader Catholic community in the Czech Republic, who regard it as an important link to the country's medieval Christian heritage.

As police continue their investigation, the faithful in Jablonné v Podještědí have been left to grapple with the loss of a sacred object that has been part of their spiritual life for centuries. The church has said it is cooperating fully with the authorities and has called for prayers for the safe return of the relic.

In the meantime, police have not ruled out the possibility of further suspects and are analyzing all leads. They have also noted that the security footage is being enhanced to aid in identifying the individual involved. The case has drawn attention to the broader challenges of protecting culturally and religiously significant objects, which are often vulnerable to theft due to their high value on the black market or among private collectors.

Archbishop Přibyl, quoting from his statement, said, "The skull was revered by pilgrims... I cannot believe that someone practically in broad daylight steals from church a relic whose value is above all historical and also spiritual for believers."