Police return ancient book to Catholic Church

Police in Scotland have recovered a centuries-old book which was taken from a collection belonging to the Catholic Church, after an investigation involving forces in Italy and Holland.

The book of sermons by Cardinal Bellerine dates back to 1605. The copy in question was given to the Church in Glasgow in the early 1900s.

In September 2020, police found it for sale on a Dutch website. It was sold to a buyer in Italy, but as it is against Canon law to alienate property of the church, law enforcement officers in Italy seized it.

The book was then taken to the Scots College in Rome, before being returned to Scotland.