Bensalem police say 2 men stole from St. Katharine Drexel Motherhouse. Can you ID them?

Jo Ciavaglia, Bucks County Courier Times
Updated ·1 min read
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Bensalem police are looking to identify two men suspected of stealing an artifact from a Roman Catholic saint.

Neighbors of the former St. Katharine Drexel Shrine reported seeing two men enter the vacant and closed property at Bristol Pike and Hulmeville Road on May 11.

About 45 minutes later, neighbors saw the men leaving the building carrying what appeared to be a crucifix located in the former Motherhouse, according to Bensalem police.

Police had no further information about the crucifix including its value.

The 47-acre former headquarters for the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, the order of nuns Drexel founded, was sold to a developer who planned to develop a large-scale age-restricted community, but keep the Motherhouse as part of the project.

The property has been closed to the public since Dec. 31, 2017, and since then, incidents of vandalism and theft, particularly copper pipes and tubing, have been reported, according to police.

The abandoned and boarded motherhouse, formerly the home of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, an order founded by Saint Katherine Drexel in the 19th century. Vandals have entered the place, swiping copper tubing and pipes, said Bensalem Mayor Joe DiGirolamo.
The abandoned and boarded motherhouse, formerly the home of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, an order founded by Saint Katherine Drexel in the 19th century. Vandals have entered the place, swiping copper tubing and pipes, said Bensalem Mayor Joe DiGirolamo.

What is happening at the Drexel shrine Why is Saint Katherine Drexel's motherhouse boarded up?

Authorities obtained photos of the suspects with the stolen crucifix.  They are asking anyone who knows the identity of the men to contact Bensalem Police at 215-633-3719 or submit an anonymous tip through the department’s Crimewatch website.

Reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at jciavaglia@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Bensalem police looking for men who stole crucifix from Drexel Shrine