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Chapel bell stolen

MEXICO — No bell rang to herald mass Sunday as the antique bell in San Antonio Chapel in this town, was stolen by still unidentified individuals Friday evening.

The bell was reportedly made of silver.

Ines Esguerra, 72, a parishioner and owner of a store beside the chapel, said they were saddened as the incident was a sign of gross disrespect to the Catholic Church.

“Nakakalungkot kung bakit pati ang simbahan ay naaatim nilang nakawan. Hindi nila pinalampas kahit itong bell na ginagamit sa tuwing nagkakaroon ng misa. Sino man po sana ang gumawa nito ay ibalik na lamang kung nahihiya naman sila kahit iwanan na lamang sa tapat ng pintuan ng chapel,” Esguerra said.

She also pointed out that the missing bell could be considered as invaluable and historical to the faithful as it was the original one used in the chapel during their childhood, decades ago.

“Bata pa kami nandyan na yung bell. Matanda na talaga ang bell na ito. Sa pagkakaalam ko ay gawa ito sa pilak kaya hindi malayong pag interesan ng mga taong may masamang layunin,” Esguerra added.

Meanwhile, the tricycle drivers stationed in the side of the chapel said there were two young suspicious individuals staying near the belfry where the bell was installed around 10:30 p.m. Friday.

Rodolfo Villegas, 66, a tricycle driver, said the individuals were left in the terminal.

“Hindi ko sinasabing sila ang kumuha. Pero hindi rin naman malayong sila ang may gawa dahil anong ginagawa nila sa ganoong oras?” he said.

“Nakipanood pa sila dito sa TV sa aming terminal. Hindi namin sila dating nakikita pero ng mga sandaling iyon, naiwan pa sila hanggang sa mag-uwian na ang mga kasamahan naming driver,” Villegas said.

The parish priest in Parian Church (who requested not to be named), meanwhile, informed the parishioners regarding the lost of the antique bell, hoping that they could help in retrieving it from the culprits.

“Nanawagan na rin po ang aming pari sa kinauukulan kanina sa misa na sana ay ibalik na ang nawawalang bell,” Esguerra said. (Herbert P. Mapiles)

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