Bishop’s crosier stolen —
Nearly 60-year-old religious symbol taken from diocesan vehicle

Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted, the apostolic administrator for the Diocese of Gallup, is shown with a gold-plated crosier during this year's Chrism Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral. [ courtesy photo]

By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Staff writer

GALLUP — Officials with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gallup are asking for the public’s help in the return of a historical ceremonial item that was stolen in Gallup earlier this week.

A gold-plated crosier — a pastoral staff that symbolizes the governing office of a bishop — was apparently stolen from an unlocked pickup owned by one of Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted’s assistants sometime between Sunday and Wednesday evening, according to Lee Lamb, the communications director for the diocese.

On Thursday, Lamb released information about the theft with the expressed hope that publicity would result in the crosier’s return or recovery. The crosier is about 6 feet in length and is decorated with gold-plating and jewels, which Lamb believes are glass stones. The metal crosier, which resembles a shepherd’s staff with an ornate spiral crook, is very heavy and can be dismantled into several smaller sections for storage in a black carrying case. The crosier was taken in its case.

Lamb said he didn’t know the actual value of the crosier but estimated it would cost the diocese between $3,000 and $5,000 to replace it. However, its greater value may be rooted in it its history.

“Bishop Olmsted’s crosier dates back to 1940 when Pope Pius XII named Fr. Bernard T. Espelage, OFM, the Diocese of Gallup’s first bishop,” Lamb said in an e-mail.

“Current bishops of a diocese typically carry the crosier of their first bishop to symbolize continuity. Beyond the obvious cost of replacing the crosier, it holds significant historical and emotional value to the people of our diocese. It is a highly symbolic piece of our heritage.”

According to Lamb, Deacon Jim Hoy filed a report with the Gallup Police on Thursday morning after discovering the crosier’s carrying case missing from his truck, which had been parked outside his residence in the Roosevelt Elementary School neighborhood. Hoy, the diocesan finance director, is also the private pilot who flies Olmsted each week between his duties at the Phoenix and Gallup diocese. Lamb said Hoy’s flight bag containing about $1,000 worth of emergency equipment was also taken.

Hoy feels very badly about the theft, admitted Lamb, who said the truck had apparently been left unlocked as there were no signs of forced entry.

“The bishop travels a lot, coming and going from the airport, pastoral office, and cathedral,” he explained. “His crosier is carried from place to place, wherever the bishop has Mass. There is no real storage or security procedure for the crosier since it has to be accessible to the bishop at all times during his ministry, and has to be available upon the bishop’s request.”

Whoever took Olmsted’s case and Hoy’s bag, Lamb said, took items they wouldn’t have any use for unless they were a bishop or a pilot. In addition to filing the police report, Lamb said diocesan officials have already notified pawn shop dealers about the theft.

“The diocese is asking for the return of Bishop Olmsted’s crosier — again, a tremendous piece of Catholic heritage in this area,” said Lamb. “It can be returned to the pastoral center at 711 S. Puerco St. or to any Catholic parish in Gallup. No questions will be asked.”

Gallup’s three Catholic parishes include Sacred Heart Cathedral, 415 E. Green Ave; St. Francis parish, 215 W. Wilson Ave; and St. John Vianney parish, 3408 Zia Dr.
Capt. John Allen of the Gallup Police Department said information about the missing items can also be anonymously reported to Crime Stoppers.

Information: Diocese of Gallup: (505) 863-4406, Gallup CrimeStoppers: (505) 722-6161.