Massachusetts priest baffled by vestment theft; 3 men facing charges

GARDNER, Mass. – A Massachusetts priest says he’s baffled by a theft from his church in which the only things taken were priestly vestments and other nearly valueless items.

WBZ-TV (http://cbsloc.al/1yifIHW ) reports that no money, no religious artifacts, and nothing of major value was taken in the theft from St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Gardner.

Police arrested three 22-year-old city men after someone reported seeing someone wearing the vestments inside an abandoned building. They’re charged with receiving stolen property, and breaking and entering.

The Rev. Thomas Tokarz says he forgives the men, but still wants to know why they took what they did.

Police say they have a motive, but are not making it public until they finish the investigation. They do say the motive was not anti-religious.

The church’s property has been returned.

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Information from: WBZ-TV, http://cbsboston.com

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