“Recently, there has truly been a wave of robberies, and [the perpetrators] have stolen some significant heritage from the diocese and the communities,” lamented the priest.
The head of the Cultural Heritage Commission of the Diocese of Portalegre-Castelo Branco noted that these thefts have occurred over the past six months.
The churches targeted by these crimes are “located outside urban areas” in regions such as Nisa, Belver, Fratel, Envendos, and Constância, spanning transition areas between the districts of Portalegre, Santarém, and Castelo Branco.
In addition to 16th and 17th-century tiles, religious images “and the best that these communities had inside” the churches have been stolen, revealed Father Francisco Valente.
The most recent burglary, according to the priest, occurred last week at the Church of Santo António in Constância, district of Santarém, where 16th and 17th-century tiles were stolen from the interior of the religious monument.
“Beyond the robbery, they left destruction in their attempts to remove the tiles,” he lamented.
When asked about the damages caused by the purported criminals, the head of the Cultural Heritage Commission of the Diocese of Portalegre-Castelo Branco explained that no valuation has been conducted, nor has a value been calculated.
“It’s almost impossible to assess the damage. It’s truly an immeasurable loss of heritage that added value to the territory, the people, and the communities, and now, with this destruction, everything is greatly impoverished,” he stated.
Francisco Valente further assured that the robberies have been reported to local police authorities, with investigations being conducted by the Polícia Judiciária (PJ).
