American priest stole stone from an ancient site in Rome

Carabinieri catch up with American priest who removed stone from the Case Romane del Celio. A 37-year-old American priest faced charges of aggravated theft of cultural heritage after stealing a stone fragment from an ancient archaeological site on Rome's Coelian hill. The unusual case, reported by Rome newspaper Il Messaggero, occurred on the morning of 23 June when a tour group from a Catholic parish in Louisiana entered the Case Romane del Celio for a scheduled visit. The underground site near the Colosseum comprises 20 rooms on various levels under the church of SS. Giovanni e Paolo, dating from between the second century and fourth century AD. What happened During the visit, the US priest was leading the group of around 16 people when - thinking he was unobserved - he picked up a fragment of white limestone off the floor of the Cella Vinaria and slipped it into his backpack. The tour concluded, the theft went unnoticed by museum staff, and the group moved on to their next stop. The theft was witnessed however by a member of the tour group. Initially she said nothing before deciding a few days later to tell the Carabinieri what she witnessed, going in person to a police station near Castel Sant'Angelo. Police intervene That same evening, Il Messaggero reports, police interrupted the dinner of the pilgrims and their spiritual guide at a restaurant in the St Peter's area. When questioned about the theft, the priest immediately admitted what he did, telling officers that he wanted to take home a memento of his trip, without knowing what exactly he had stolen from the museum. The Carabinieri contacted the management of the Case Romane del Celio and the city's archaeological superintendency, who confirmed that the fragment was of no artistic or historic value. The stone was returned to its original location and, according to La Repubblica newspaper, the case is likely to be closed. Case Romane al Celio According to tradition, the site was the residence of the fourth-century martyrs John and Paul who were buried in their house following their execution. The complex features the remains of several Roman houses of different periods, including an insula, or apartment block, and a wealthy domus later converted into an early Christian church. Many of the rooms are decorated with frescoes and the site also includes a museum room containing Roman amphorae, pots and ancient Roman bricks complete with their imprinted stamps. Photo Wanted in Rome

WIRE — Carabinieri catch up with American priest who removed stone from the Case Romane del Celio. A 37-year-old American priest faced charges of aggravated theft of cultural heritage after stealing a stone fragment from an ancient archaeological site on Rome's Coelian hill. The unusual case, reported by Rome newspaper Il Messaggero, occurred on the morning of 23 June when a tour group from a Catholic parish in Louisiana entered the Case Romane del Celio for a scheduled visit. The underground site near the Colosseum comprises 20 rooms on various levels under the church of SS. Giovanni e Paolo, dating from between the second century and fourth century AD. What happened During the visit, the US priest was leading the group of around 16 people when - thinking he was unobserved - he picked up a fragment of white limestone off the floor of the Cella Vinaria and slipped it into his backpack. The tour concluded, the theft went unnoticed by museum staff, and the group moved on to their next stop. The theft was witnessed however by a member of the tour group. Initially she said nothing before deciding a few days later to tell the Carabinieri what she witnessed, going in person to a police station near Castel Sant'Angelo. Police intervene That same evening, Il Messaggero reports, police interrupted the dinner of the pilgrims and their spiritual guide at a restaurant in the St Peter's area. When questioned about the theft, the priest immediately admitted what he did, telling officers that he wanted to take home a memento of his trip, without knowing what exactly he had stolen from the museum. The Carabinieri contacted the management of the Case Romane del Celio and the city's archaeological superintendency, who confirmed that the fragment was of no artistic or historic value. The stone was returned to its original location and, according to La Repubblica newspaper, the case is likely to be closed. Case Romane al Celio According to tradition, the site was the residence of the fourth-century martyrs John and Paul who were buried in their house following their execution. The complex features the remains of several Roman houses of different periods, including an insula, or apartment block, and a wealthy domus later converted into an early Christian church. Many of the rooms are decorated with frescoes and the site also includes a museum room containing Roman amphorae, pots and ancient Roman bricks complete with their imprinted stamps. Photo Wanted in Rome

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