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Theft of chapel's cross is puzzling to director, police

The USF center's chaplain has written an e-mail to the university community pleading for its return.

TAMPA - Who would walk off with a cross?

That's the question lingering over the University of South Florida's chapel center nearly two weeks after someone - or a group of people - stole the 3-by-4-foot wooden cross hanging by the entrance.

It's the second cross the center has lost, according to chaplain and director the Rev. Deb Holton-Fischer.

Another was taken several years ago, she said.

In an e-mail addressed Thursday to the university community she beseeches those responsible to return it, even promising not to prosecute.

"It wasn't even elaborate, simply a plain cross of wood," she wrote. "It is puzzling to us why someone would act out against us in a malicious fashion, or even why they would want such a thing."

She estimated that buying a similar cross would cost $1,000.

Because of a tight budget, the religious center could possibly choose not to replace it.

The center on N 50th Street is a spiritual gathering spot run by Anglicans, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Lutherans and the United Church of Christ.

In addition to offering worship services, it organizes missions and volunteer projects.

The theft occurred between the night of July 24 and the morning of July 25. University police are just as baffled as center directors at this point.

Holton-Fischer's letter says there were other thefts that night.

Taking the heavy cross off its hook could be the work of pranksters or part of a "juvenile initiation rite" on campus, she wrote.

University police Sgt. Mike Klingebiel said a Gideon Bible was stolen from the Embassy Suites Hotel on campus, but they have little else to go on.

"There really weren't a lot of leads to follow up on," he said. "We don't know if anyone else witnessed it."

Center directors obviously hoped sticky fingers wouldn't find such a simple cross so tempting. It hung outside.

By contrast, the first stolen cross had a prominent place behind the altar. It "was a large and beautiful icon," Holton-Fischer wrote.

If the goal was to divide people, she said those responsible will fail.

"This act does have an impact on our ministry, but, ultimately, it will neither be hurtful or divisive," Holton-Fischer wrote. "We pray that this will instead bring more unity on our campus and for our ministry. Our goal is to share God's love and welcome all people to our community."

Perhaps whoever stole the religious symbol will start feeling guilty, Klingebiel said.

"Maybe someone will see the error in their ways and bring it forward," he said.

Josh Zimmer can be reached at 813 269-5314 or zimmer@sptimes.com