Thefts shake faith

A series of thefts at a Bunbury cathedral has culminated in the destruction of a donation box to steal money.

The St Boniface Cathedral community has been rocked by the latest crime and is now considering locking the cathedral when it is unattended during the day.

“We’re one of the last in our diocese to keep our church open throughout the day,” St Boniface Cathedral Dean Dr Stewart MacPherson said.

“We do want to leave it open, but there’s a risk now.” Dr MacPherson said he was more sad than angry about the destruction and theft of the donation box.

“The donation is our equivalent of a poor box, I think this was done by someone desperate for cash,” he said.

Dr MacPherson said the aftermath of the theft was discovered on July 16 but he thought the crime had been committed during the day before.

“It makes me sad to think that someone’s that desperate for money,” he said.

The destruction of the donation box was caused by pulling the front off with a tool — possibly a crowbar — to get at the box inside.

The box had been bolted to the wall behind it after a previous incident.

“This is the first time they’ve taken the front of the box off,” Dr MacPherson said.

In the past couple of months, all the copper downpipes within reach at the cathedral have been stolen.

Dr MacPherson said the St Boniface Cathedral community was concerned about the theft of the downpipes.

“They’ve taken the second half — the part within reach — of all the downpipes, starting with the side less visible from the road,” he said.

“The problem with that — other than the cost to replace them — is that now the walls are getting wet.

“It’s a low trick.”