Bench Warrant Issued For Church Vandal

Church officials have called in a liturgical artisan to help determine the cost to restore the tabernacle at Most Precious Blood Roman Catholic Church, which was heavily damaged by a crazed vandal who tore through the Long Island City house of worship on April 24.

Police said Dario Bakja, 43, stormed into the empty church at 32-40 37th St., damaged a number of items and tossed the tabernacle from the altar to the floor. The impact broke a swinging door and caused "a lot of internal damage" to the tabernacle, Father Paul Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez explained that in the Catholic religion, the Eucharist - the body and soul of Christ, and the sacred wine are stored in the tabernacle, removed only by a priest during the celebration of the Mass.

Rodriguez said the vandalism damaged a very complicated mechanism that opens and closes the door on the tabernacle. The artisans have not yet completed their estimate of the cost to restore the tabernacle to its original condition, Rodriguez said. Besides the tabernacle, the cost of restoring portions of the altar, a marble floor and other items damaged during the vandalism is yet to be determined.

Rodriguez said there is no dollar amount that can ease the pain of losing the tabernacle, which was original to the church when it was built in 1922. "We are inconsolable over the loss of the tabernacle," he said.

Bakja, who arrived in the U.S. from Croatia about 10 years ago, was arrested shortly after the incident and charged with criminal mischief, menacing, trespassing and harassment. He was released on $750 cash bail at his arraignment at Queens Criminal Court.

Law enforcement sources said Bakja, who lives with his father just doors from Most Precious Blood Church, had been diagnosed with an emotional disorder and was off his medication at the time of the vandalism.

A spokesperson for Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said the court issued a Bench warrant for Bakja on June 24, after he failed to show up for a scheduled hearing on the arrest.

"[Bakja] needs help," Rodriguez said. "We are praying for him, hoping he gets the help he needs."

The church is accepting donations from parishioners and others who wish to help offset the cost of repair and restoration of the vandalized items, Rodriguez said. Church officials are also seeking donations for their ongoing campaign to restore the rest of the church, which needs plastering, painting, roof repairs and other work, Rodriguez stated.

"The community, after learning about the vandalism, has been very generous, very giving," Rodriguez said. "Hopefully, we will be able to raise the funds needed to restore the tabernacle and return the altar to its original condition."

For information or to make a donation, call the Most Precious Blood rectory at 718- 278-3337 or visit the rectory on 36th St.