St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Nimule of Eastern Equatoria State. | Photo: Sebit Patrick

Suspected armed goons broke into a Catholic parish in Nimule of Eastern Equatoria State Saturday and looted valuables including money, a laptop, and three bottles of Altar wine, a cleric said.

Father Modi Darious Vincent whose residence was also raided in the incident at St. Francis Assisi Parish, said the burglars broke into the house of worship on June 10.

Modi said the armed robbers took 700,000 pounds meant for church activities from his room.

His personal belongings including a lab-top computer and solar batteries were also stolen.

“On Saturday night, I was even in Lau because I don’t stay there. I only come once in a while, I think thieves at night entered the compound. They broke into some rooms including mine and collected some valuable things, he told Eye Radio.

“I have some money which was supposed to be for the work in the parish. There is about 700,000 SSP, and then they also took my inverter for solar system, which I was supposed to install.”

Father Modi added that the armed group also vandalized another office of St. Monica situated within the premises of the Parish and walked away with some sewing machines.

“Then (they also stole) some three bottles of alter wine because I also keep the alter here I always pick maybe one bottle. When it is finished, I also come and pick then some of my new bed-sheets.”

On his part, the Parish Priest of St. Francis Assisi Parish in Nimule confirmed the incident.

Father Lazarus Elia Wani said they have recorded almost six theft cases targeting the church this year.

“The incident is not the first of its kind it keeps on repeating, repeating. If I can recall, this is like the sixth time now,” he told Eye Radio.

“They keep on coming and stealing and going. We give information to the police and security nothing is happening there.”

He adds: “Their (thiefs) whereabouts is difficult to get.”