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Two former nuns were arrested in Spain’s north after they found priceless artifacts from their rebellious monastery on sale in an antiques store.
Last week, officers of the Guardia Civil arrested Laura Garcia de Viedma as part of a probe into the sale rare artifacts.
The dramatic detentions are the latest twist in the long-running saga of the so-called ‘rebel nuns of Belorado’, a breakaway religious community who hit the headlines last year after being formally excommunicated by the Vatican.
Furious after a disagreement over blocked property sales, and doctrinal conflicts, the fiery sister cut ties to the Catholic Church, and placed themselves in the jurisdiction of Pablo de Rojas Sanchez Franco. An excommunicated Catholic priest, who presents himself as the bishop of the Pious Union Saint Paul The Apostle.
They are accused of selling valuable items, such as 17th century religious sculptures and antique furniture.
A carved statue believed to be from the monastery was found in an antiques store.
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That discovery prompted the Guardia Civil to launch Operation Mirum-Cid – a probe into the disappearance and sale of artefacts linked to the convent.
Officers raided the Santa Clara Monastery in Bizkaia and the rebel convent, where artifacts including furniture, sculptures and artwork were allegedly taken without permission.
Another antiques dealer, also from Leon, was arrested in connection with the sales. The man is accused of acting as an intermediary for the illicit sales.
Authorities are prosecuting charges of aggravated theft and illegal trafficking in protected cultural items.
The investigation is continuing but all three detainees were released on conditional release.
In a press release, the Guardia Civil stated: “As an integral part of Operation Mirum-Cid (Mirum-Cid), the Guardia Civil have arrested two ex-nuns and a antique dealer under suspicion of receiving stolen goods and aggravated misappropriation.
“Officers found various works of art in the antiques market which could be related to the historical heritage at the monastery of Santa Maria de Bretonera” (Belorado).
The investigation revealed that several pieces of historical artifacts from Santa Maria de Bretorena, which belonged to the Burgos Monastery, were being sold on the internet. Also, a 17th-century statue of Saint Anthony de Padua was being sold at an antique store in Madrid.
The Guardia Civil has recovered these works.
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