BOONE — Police have charged a homeless man in connection with a tabernacle stolen from St. Elizabeth Church last summer. The brass tabernacle, which was stolen with the Blessed Sacrament inside, has not been located.
Claude William Clark, 54, was arrested Feb. 12 and charged with felony breaking and entering of a place of worship in connection with the June 16, 2020, theft, according to Boone Police. According to the arrest report, Clark has no known residence in Boone.
Clark is suspected to have entered the church, located at 259 Pilgrims Way in Boone, through a window. According to the arrest report, Clark initially denied then confessed to entering the church after police detained him for alleged trespassing at a local store’s parking lot.
The tabernacle, which weighs about 40 pounds, held a ciborium containing multiple consecrated hosts. Nothing else was stolen and no other damage was reported.
“We are praying and waiting for more details,” said Father Brendan Buckler, pastor, after learning an arrest had been made.
ClarkAt the time of the theft, Father Buckler appealed to those responsible to return the Blessed Sacrament, if not the tabernacle. Catholics profess that the consecrated Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Christ, and stealing it is considered a desecration.
"We pray that your hearts may be moved to please return the tabernacle to us, but most especially the contents,” Father Buckler said.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the tabernacle is asked to call High Country Crime Stoppers at 828-268-6959 or 828-737-0125, or the Boone Police Department at 828- 268-6900.
You may also submit a Crime Stoppers Tip via its website, www.highcountrycrimestoppers.com, or Text "NCTIP plus your tip" to 274637 (CRIMES). All information will be kept confidential.
— Kimberly Bender, online reporter