Sacrilege and robbery in the church of Estreito

On the night of 6–7 November 1829 the church of Our Lady of Grace (Nossa Senhora da Graça) in Estreito de Câmara de Lobos (‘seals’ den’) was broken into. Various sacred vessels were stolen from it, together with some silver crowns, 1 gold chain bearing the image of Our Lady, 1 silver flower set with red stones, 1 processional cross, 2 silver lamps, etc. The consecrated hosts kept in the tabernacle were consumed by the thieves.

Of those responsible for this crime, 6 were sentenced by the High Court of Appeal (Relação) of Lisbon, in a judgment of 6 March 1830, to be garrotted at Cais do Sodré, and 2 to perpetual penal exile (degredo) in Africa. The defendants sentenced to the ultimate penalty were the following: José Marreiros, a lance-corporal of the 2nd Infantry; Jacinto Fernandes, labourer; Manuel de Sequeira, labourer; Januário Soares, a soldier of the 13th Infantry; João Rodrigues, known as ‘o Espera Diabos’, labourer; and José de Andrade, known as ‘o Rangido’, a constable (quadrilheiro). The first and fourth were natives of Portugal and the rest of Madeira.

In addition to death by garrotte, the last three defendants were sentenced to be dragged from the gaol to the scaffold and, once dead, to have their heads cut off and displayed on posts for three days.

The defendants sentenced to perpetual penal exile were Francisco de Sales Rodrigues, goldsmith, and Timóteo da Graça, labourer, both natives of Madeira. The High Court later commuted the death sentence passed on the defendant José Marreiros to one of penal exile in Africa.