Ireland appeals for return of historic Relic of True Cross

“It isn’t of much money value, but it is of incalculable spiritual, devotional and historic value” says Archbishop Dermott Clifford of the diocese of Cashel and Emly, home to the Holy Cross Abbey were on Tuesday night two men robbed the revered relic of the True Cross, gifted to the nation by Pope Pascal II. “We have appealed to the people who took it, in Heaven’s name, its not worth money, we would ask them to please return it as soon as possible to any church or convent, its of immense importance to the faithful who come in their hundreds to the Abbey to pray before it”.

Until this week the Relic of the True Cross – encased in a 2ft high silver and gold plated case- had survived intact for 900 years, down through centuries of turmoil in Irish Church history. It was gifted to the O’Brien Kings of Thomond in the 12th century by Pope Paschal II in recognition for their commitment to the renewal of the Catholic Church in Ireland at the time. Which is quite poignant, says Archbishop Clifford- who was also appointed by Pope Benedict as administrator of the Cloyne diocese, “given that Ireland is once again endeavouring to renew the life of the Church on the island”.

He says that the current economic crisis could be partly to blame: “The most likely thing is they took it thinking it was made of gold because it is gold plated”, adds Archbishop Clifford. You see at the present time, metal is very precious, it sells very well, gold or silver of copper and there are people stealing copper piping all over the place, even from the roofs of churches”.


And to critics who believe relics to be superseded or who relegate them to outdated forms of popular piety the Irish prelate points out: “The Relic of the True Cross is the most precious relic that you could have. As we know, the True Cross was found by St Helena, the mother of Constantine. Holy Cross Abbey has visitors everyday, people want to come and pray before this relic but of course it’s to Our Lord that they want to pray, who died for us on the Cross. The purpose of all relics really is to direct us to Our Lord”.

Listen to Emer McCarthy’s full interview with Archbishop Clifford: