Christ Church Cathedral Press Release Friday 09 March 2012

The Catholic and Protestant Archbishops of Dublin and Dublin’s Lord Mayor unite in the appeal for the return of the heart of St Laurence O’ Toole, Patron Saint of Dublin

It is almost 1 week since officials at Christ Church Cathedral discovered the 900 year old heart of Saint Laurence O’Toole was stolen from the metal case in which it was entombed. An overwhelming outpouring of worldwide support has been shown by all members of the religious and civic communities as they unite in solidarity in the appeal for the return of the venerated relic.

The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland, Dr Diarmuid Martin has joined the appeal in a heartfelt statement asking for the return of the heart. He stated:

“St Laurence O’Toole is the principal Patron of our Diocese and we venerate his relic here in Dublin. 900 years ago, this city of ours was besieged by Norman invaders. Citizens were slaughtered and great poverty and hardship followed. In spite of many setbacks Archbishop O’Toole was not afraid to be a sign of God’s hope; to be the ‘Man in the Middle’, a mediator between God and his people, a peace maker between warring factions.”

He added “The Heart of St. Laurence O’ Toole is the spiritual heart of our city and it belongs to the people of Dublin and the wider Christian community. I appeal to anyone who has any information about its disappearance to contact the Gardaí or Christ Church Cathedral where discretion will be respected.”

The Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland, the Most Reverend Dr Michael Jackson, has also joined in the worldwide appeal commenting that the theft had caused widespread distress and asked for the relic’s discrete return to its rightful place.

“The recent theft of the relic of St Laurence O’Toole from Christ Church Cathedral has caused shock and distress, not only in Dublin but worldwide,” Dr Jackson stated. “What we really long to see is the return of the relic, discreetly, so that it may again take its time-honoured place in the cathedral for everyone to see and use in the context of their own tradition and spirituality.”

Lord Mayor of Dublin, Andrew Montague added “As first citizen of Dublin, I was shocked to hear the Heart of St. Laurence O’ Toole, Patron Saint of Dublin, was stolen from Christ Church Cathedral.  This relic has been kept in Christ Church Cathedral for over 800 years and has survived so many centuries of historical events.  I would appeal to anyone who has any information about its disappearance to contact the Gardaí or Christ Church Cathedral immediately.  The Heart of St. Laurence O’ Toole belongs to the city of Dublin and it is important that it is returned to its rightful place”.

Members of the Dublin community have also begun a fundraising campaign and are offering a reward for any information leading to the return of the treasured relic that has sparked worldwide interest.

The Christian community of Eu in France where St. Lawrence O’Toole died and is Patron Saint, is devastated. Father Benoît Bréant, parish priest of the Collegiate Church of Saint Lawrence O’Toole in Eu contacted the Dean at Christ Church Cathedral assuring the community of Dublin and Ireland of its communion in prayer. He added that daily Eucharist and worship will be offered in Eu until its return. Last night at 6pm, the French parish gathered together at the church for a special Rosary where they prayed for the safe return of the relic.

The relic was stolen sometime on the morning of Saturday 3 March between the hours of 9.30am and 12.30pm. It was kept in a wooden heart–shaped container sealed within a small iron–barred cage in St Laud’s chapel in the cathedral. The bars of the cage had been cut.

Born Lorcán Ua Tuathail in Castledermot, Co Kildare in 1128 and known as Laurence O’Toole, he died November 1180 in Normandy, France. He was elected archbishop of Dublin following the death of Archbishop Gregory in 1162.

He was an ascetic who wore a hair-shirt, never ate meat and fasted every Friday. Each Lent he returned to Glendalough, where he had previously been abbot. While there, he lived in St Kevin’s Cell, a cave over the Upper Lake, for 40 days.

He was canonised in 1225 by Pope Honorius III and his heart was preserved in Christ Church Cathedral since the 13th century.

His skull was brought back to Britain in 1442. His bones were interred at the parish church of Chorley, now called the Church of St Laurence. They disappeared in the Reformation under the rule of Henry VIII.

Detectives at Kevin Street Garda Station continue to follow leads from the Cathedral’s and Dublin City Council’s CCTV camera footage in a bid to identify those behind the theft.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses to contact Kevin Street Garda Station on 01 666 9400 or call the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.

For further information please contact Nuala Kavanagh, Director of Operations, at Christ Church Cathedral on 01 677 8099 or 086 797 8809 or email Nuala.kavanagh@cccdub.ie