Vandal breaks into St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland, damages window

Someone broke into St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood and caused minor damage, church officials said.

“It is very sad to think that anyone would want to violate a church, and especially the sanctuary in the church,” the Rev. Kris Stubna wrote in an alert on St. Paul’s Facebook page.

The church must repair a broken window, battered door and other minor damage to the marble on the communion rail, Stubna said. He did not provide an estimate for the cost of the damage.

The suspect “attempted to break into the vigil light stands but, thanks to the modifications we made last year, he was not successful in gaining access and minimal damage was caused,” Stubna said.

Stubna said that, “thanks to our newly installed security system, the police were alerted immediately and were on site quickly.”

“The burglar was ultimately apprehended and taken into custody,” Stubna wrote. “I am especially grateful that no one was hurt.”

Pittsburgh Public Safety officials could not immediately provide information about the incident.

St. Paul Cathedral was struck by theft earlier this year.

Police suspect two men hid inside the church after doors were closed and locked on a Saturday night in February, Public Safety officials said.

When the coast was clear, the pair made off with an undisclosed amount of cash, damaging the votive boxes in the process, police said.

The incident prompted the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh to warn parishioners and visitors to be vigilant and report suspicious activity to 911 immediately.

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