Stolen Risen Christ sculpture recovered after more than 60 years aleteia.org

On February 6, 2024, an alabaster bas-relief from the sumptuous abbey church in Montivilliers, on the northern coast of France, was returned to the town hall of this Norman commune (the government in France owns all church property dating from before 1905.) It had taken almost 60 years to recover this precious object.

Representing Christ emerging from his tomb, it had been stolen one night in March 1968.

The sacristan, who had closed the church as he did every evening, must have unknowingly locked in the two prowlers he had seen just before leaving the premises. The parish priest then discovered the extent of the theft: Not just one bas-relief, but 10 — as well as three paintings — were missing…

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