800 year old Relic Stolen

The lowest of the low stooped as low as you can go when they stole a holy relic from Christ church cathedral in Ireland's capital city Dublin on March 12 2012. The thieves hid in the cathedral, until everything was locked up for the night, and then under cover of darkness, they cut the metal protective cage, and stole the 800 year old relic - The heart of St Laurence O'Toole.

One can only assume, the cowardly theft was carried out in the hopes of financial gain, if they could successfully sell it on the black market. The local police service (The Gardai) carried out an extensive investigation and followed some good leads, but ultimately the investigation was fruitless, and 6 years on the relic was still missing, and assumed lost forever.

That all changed a couple of days ago, when the Gardai received an anonymous tip off to search the Phoenix Park in Dublin's North side. They found the missing relic and have since reunited it with Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Michael Jackson, at a choral service in the cathedral yesterday evening. It is hoped that it can be put back on display in Christ Church on St Laurence O'Toole's feast day on the 14th of November this year.

So why the change of heart after all of these years??

It turns out it was not an epiphany or sudden change of heart, although hearts were ironically involved. The anonymous call actually came from one of the thieves. It is believed that various family relations and connections of those involved in the heist died of heart attacks inn the years since the theft, which led the thieves to believe that the Heart of St Laurence O'Toole was cursed, and the only was to break the curse, was to return the relic to it's rightful home in Christ Church Cathedral.

The cowards became so scared that the curse was real, that they returned the relic, but they have no doubt now turned to another scheme to defraud someone else. These type of people rarely change their ways.

A brief history of The heart of St Laurence O'Toole

Saint Laurence O'Toole also known as Lorcán Ua Tuathail was born at Castledermot, Ireland in 1128. He was the youngest of four sons and his mother was a O'Byrne princess. He was Archbishop of Dublin at the time of the Norman invasion of Ireland. He played a prominent role in the Irish Church Reform Movement of the 12th century and mediated between the parties during and after the invasion. He was canonised a saint in 1225 by Pope Honorius III.

Following the demise and death of Archbishop Gregory in 1162, he was elected unanimously Archbishop of Dublin. He was only 32 years of age. He was consecrated in by Gelasius, Archbishop of Armagh and successor of St. Malachy at the Synod of Clane. He was the first Irishman to be appointed to the See of this town ruled by Danes and Norwegians; it is notable that his nomination was backed not only by the High King Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair, Diarmait Mac Murchada and the community at Glendalough, but also by the clergy and population of Dublin itself. He played a prominent part in the Irish Church Reform Movement of the 12th century, as well as rebuilding Christ Church Cathedral, several parish churches and emphasising the use of Gregorian chant.

As Archbishop of Dublin, Lorcán began a policy of Church building and laid the foundation stone for Christ Church Cathedral, which explains why he is so important to the clergy of Christ church. To assist in the spiritual formation of the priests and people of the Diocese Lorcán invited the Augustinian monks to become part of the Cathedral Chapter of the Holy Trinity.

Dublin at this time was in the middle of an economic boom and Lorcán, as Archbishop, was seen as the one who cared for the poor and the neglected. There was appalling poverty in the city at the time and each day Lorcán fed the poor of the city in his own home. He was a selfless individual, with a heart of gold. He also established care centres for the children who had been abandoned by their parents or who were orphaned in the city.

Archbishop Lorcán frequently made choice of Glendalough for his retreats; but it is said that he usually hid himself in a cave at some distance from the monastery, between a rock and a deep lake, which St. Kevin was believed to have used also.

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Peace Out

Ablaze 🔥