Some €4,000 was stolen from the Ibrag parish church this morning, The Malta Independent has learnt.

Sources say that the money stolen was going to be allocated to a Missionary fund.

It has been claimed that the thieves used a ‘chaser’ to break into the safe where the money was being kept.

The police said in a statement that the theft occurred at around 9.30am, when the church was closed.

Parish priest Fr Tony Agius declined to comment or make any statements about the matter, saying that an investigation is still under way.

Magistrate Joe Mifsud is leading the inquiry.