RUSSIAN MONK'S CRIME

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue XLVII, 9 March 1912, Page 5

RUSSIAN MONK'S CRIME

ROBBERY OF CHURCH JEWELS. MURDER OK A BROTHER. (Press Association.—Copyright.) (Rec. March 9, 8.45 a.m.) ST. PETERSBURG. March 8. Father Macoch has been sentenced to 12 years' penal servitude in connection with the robbery of the church at Cze£tochowa. in Russian Poland, in 1909. Helene Macoch (whose husband was murdered by Father Macoch) was sentenced to two years, Izydor Stacozewski to five years, and other accomplices to sentences ranging from two months to two years. STORY OF THE CRIME. INFATUATION FOR BROTHERS WIFE. Father Mamasius Macoch, a Polish monk for whom the police of Germany, Austria, and Russia had been searching, was arrested in October, 1910, and confessed to the murder of his brother —a. postman—and to the robbery of jewels from the famous image of the "V irgin and Child at the church at Czestochowa,. Russian Poland. The jewels missing 'from the image, to which are ascribed miraculous powers and which is visited annuallv by sonic "SOO.OCO Poles, are stated to be -worth £600,000. The bodv of the monk's brother was found inside a sofa which had been thrown in the river Wart a. H... widow, with whom the monk disappeared, was als° arrested. In his confession Macoch stated that he enticed his brother into an underground cell. There he gave him drugged wine, struck him on the head, and then hastily confessed him. After granting him full absolution lie strangled him with both hands. The monk volunteered a- statement respecting alleged malpractices in Czestochowa Monastrv, to which he was attached. He says that- of the !cwe!s sewn in the Virgin's robe man% el _? not genuine. The monks had disposed of the original irems aud substituted artificial stones lone ago as he discovered when he attemnUd to sell them. He said that the monks regularlv appropriated the votive offerings of the pilgrims. He himself had taken hundreds and squandered the proceeds on hi', sister-in-law. As a result of the rtvelation* themonastrv was occupied bv the military and a thorough search was made behind walls, under floors, and m the garden in the hope of discovering the real Je An incalculable number of have visited the ehrine in the past 600 vears—the image has been at Czestocbmva since 1382-and the innumerable gifts included priceless offerings from popes, emperors, and kings.