Minor behind missing golden chalice

BAGUIO CITY – An antique golden chalice, one of the prized possessions of the Baguio Cathedral, was missing and found but never stolen, police reported after questioning a minor who had access to the sacristy where the P.5-million relic had been kept.

However, police are further investigating the minor who misplaced the golden chalice within the confines of the cathedral after discovering that another venerable piece, a silver chalice, has been stolen.

Senior Supt. Agripino Javier, Baguio City Police Office director, did not identify the minor but confirmed he had access to the sacristy, being a church volunteer.

Javier said church officials found the missing golden chalice kept unwittingly in a different cabinet.

But at the same time, they discovered that the silver chalice worth over P10,000 had been stolen.

Upon questioning by police, the minor allegedly admitted misplacing the golden chalice but declined to put his declaration in writing.

The minor also asked police to first seek his parents’ consent before answering questions regarding the missing silver chalice.

“Perhaps, the one responsible thought it (silver chalice) was more valuable than the gold one,” Javier said.

Bishop Carlito Cenzon of the Diocese of Baguio said the golden chalice is priceless not only because of its age and rare and intricate engravings but because of its historical significance to the church.

Cenzon advised church officials to exert more effort in securing these valuable relics to prevent a repeat of the same incident which puts the image of the Church and its followers in a bad light.