Families left 'devastated' by theft of memorials from Swansea church
HEARTLESS thieves have dealt a blow to families at a Swansea church after making off with more than 100 brass memorial plaques.
They unscrewed the plaques bearing the names of the dead off the memorial wall of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Gendros leaving members of the congregation absolutely devastated at the discovery.
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From left, Ron Morgan, Brian Parker, Father Saji and, kneeling Father Cyril with aplaque the thieves tried to take off the statue of Jesus.
Some had paid tribute to former service personnel who had battled in the Second World War.
Retired Ronald Morgan, 75, of Gendros, said people had been left heartbroken by the news as the time of year was even more poignant, with remembrance services taking place in November.
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He added that November was also the month of the Holy Souls.
Mr Morgan said: "The thieves took all of the 101 brass memorials off the wall.
"There were little plaques on the walls with parishioners' relatives names on them and they took them all off the wall even though it's Remembrance coming up.
"One of my wife's friends in the church was breaking her heart on Sunday morning when she heard the plaques had been stolen.
"I could hear the gasp in the church — it's so disappointing that people do things like that."
He added: "The plaques were five inches by four inches.
"It's been reported to the police but we don't believe anything has been found as yet."
Mr Morgan said throughout November there would be a series of masses to remember the dead at the Upper Kings Head Road church.
"November is the month of the Holy Souls," he added.
"It's a time for remembering the dead at this time of year.
"People attend masses for their dead relatives and people go to the garden at a quiet time.
"They may stand and say a prayer for them."
He called on scrap dealers to alert the police if they had been contacted by someone trying to sell on the brass plaques.
Mr Morgan said: "If a scrap dealer has had them offered to them they should refuse to buy them and they should have the decency to hand them back.
"People were visibly upset to find that their mother and father's names had gone along with those who were in the Second World War.
"On November 11 we have a Remembrance Service and that's when the garden is re-dedicated to those who fought in the World Wars as well as their families."
He revealed some of the haul of plaques stolen contained the names of some of his family.
But stressed his heart went out to all those who had been targeted in the theft.
A South Wales Police spokesman confirmed they were looking into the incident.
He said: "We are investigating the thefts of around 100 plaques from the memorial gardens at Holy Cross Church hall at Upper Kings Head Road some time between 7pm on Thursday and 3pm on Friday."
Anyone with further information on the incident is asked to contact 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Comments
by gorseboy
Friday, November 02 2012, 11:27AM
“Neathboy234
Atheism is the NEW religion,I wonder how long it will be before they start slaying each other?
Yes I have lived through many of the atrocities you say were carried out in the name of religion and in a way have read even more about them to have a fuller understanding of why.
It is sad that you and many others on this site seem to consider Religion as an umberella term to include Islam,with it's various sects fighting one another,Christianity in it's loosest form,where populations call themselves Christian yet have no experience of the Saving Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.True Christianity teaches to Love your Enemy.
One final thought,have you considered the atrocity in Cambodia?Carried out by Atheists!”
by HaroldMonk
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 7:22PM
“More Bobbies on the beat”
by Neathboy234
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 5:33PM
“gorseboy i think your getting a bit confused here. I am an atheist myself and i detest all things religious. But as much as i loath religion i also loath theft as well. It is a common miss-belief among religious people that it is only they who have morals.
PS gorseboy it has been estimated that over 800 million people have died in religious wars throughout time. Yes and some of these atrocities took place during your youth as well, shocking isn't it!”
by gorseboy
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 5:07PM
“Similar theft over in Kilvey a few years ago.
The population no longer has respect for either the living or the dead,in my youth such acts would not have happened as we were taught to respect the Church as a building and the congregations as entitled to their freedom of worship.
Today any support for the Christian Faith is condemned out of hand as a belief in a nonexistant God.”
by geoboy01
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 3:48PM
“One word for the scum thieves= B*******
the scrap dealers who buy these brass plaques are just as bad as thieving!”
by antyall
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 12:46PM
“There is no limit to the depth that some will stoop to,to make some quick money. We say it all the time lets hope they and the dealers in scrap are caught,some one knows who these low life are,shop them!”