Scottish church robbed

GOREBRIDGE, Scotland, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Thieves broke into a Catholic church in Scotland and allegedly even tried to sell the sacramental wine.

The Scotsman reported Saturday that robbers targeted St. Margaret's Church in Gorebridge, allegedly stealing religious artifacts in addition to the win. Some of the pilfered items were recovered from local pawnbrokers.

"They removed the protective coverings from a window and smashed through the glass so they could climb into the sacristy. That room was locked so they could go no further," said church Cannon Hugh White. "They tried to move the safe, but it was obviously too heavy and couldn't be opened. Bottles of altar wine and items of worship were taken from a cupboard."

The thieves also stole a 16-inch, gold-plated monstrance -- a consecrated vessel used to hold the sacramental wafers -- gold plates, a holy water holder, a communion set and candle snuffers, the newspaper reported.

"Everyone was very helpful and pulled together after it happened. A glazier was kind enough to come straight out to fix the window. Obviously this is a busy time of year at the church so I could do without these kind of incidents," White said.