Relics of St. Martin stolen from Catholic church in Germany

Catholic Church of St. Martin in Neuss-Holzheim, Germany. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

On the night of July 30, 2026, unknown intruders broke into the Catholic Church of St. Martin in Neuss-Holzheim and stole relics of St. Martin of Tours, the German portal katholisch.de reports.

The perpetrators entered the church through a side door, smashed the glass in front of the altar, and took the relic kept there. They also stole a prayer book, which was later found beneath a car several blocks from the church.

Bloodstains were discovered on the altar after the break-in. It is believed that one or more of the intruders may have injured themselves while forcing their way inside.

Parish priest Andreas Süß said the material damage was relatively minor, but the theft of the relics was a profound spiritual loss for the church community.

“For us as a parish, it is inconceivable that anyone could break into the church. There seems to be a complete lack of respect for this sacred place,” the priest said.

Following the incident, he intends to reconsecrate the altar, while parish leaders will consider strengthening security measures.

This was not the first attack on the church. In January 2023, unknown intruders broke into the sacristy, damaged doors, and stole sacred objects. Several months later, a monstrance and several chalices were found on the roof of a garage in a neighboring town.

As previously reported by the UOJ, an unknown vandal beheaded a statue of Christ at a Catholic church in New York.

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