The leader of a Northland church which was victim to the theft of a 100-year-old bell has offered the culprit forgiveness and hope.
"[For me] it's okay if someone can return the bell to the church and if they lack of some material needs, we can help them," Father Bang Dinh said.
The parish priest joined the congregation at at St Charles Borromeo Catholic church in Rāwene around six months ago and said a member of the parish noted the bell's absence and called the police.
Inspector John Fagan of Northland police said the half-meter bronze bell was stolen sometime between July 15 and July 22.
"The congregation hopes this treasured community item can be returned without further damage or loss," said Fagan.
Father Dinh said the value of the church's stolen bell lies in its history, not its material worth.
"There is a history about that bell and so the value is about the history and the heritage is more than the cost."
Dinh said the bell was used for their once a week service and heard by 30-40 parishioners.
He said the congregation had been very supportive, and "try their best" in call-outs to retrieve the bell, but that ultimately the cost would sadly fall upon them if it wasn't returned.
"We need to ask or to do some fundraising to get another one."
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