Father Murphy, who was previously stationed in Orange, was in Dubbo to officiate a wedding on Friday night.

On Saturday morning it was discovered five cars in the St Brigid’s Church parking lot, which has sensor lights, had had their windows smashed and their vehicles raided.

Money and holy items – including a sacred oil carrier – were stolen.

Father Murphy said it wasn’t just the loss of the items which had hit him, and he wanted people to take action and teach children.

“I was shattered. I found out on Saturday morning and I was shattered, it just wrecked me. How awful is it to happen? Not just to me but to anybody,” he said.

“Parents are not teaching their children, teachers are not teaching their children. Parents are lacking enormously because they're not teaching their children the difference between right and wrong.”

MAP: Where the crime occurred …

After discovering his car had been targeted, Father Murphy had to drive to Mudgee with the broken window to conduct a Christening.

The priest said he had worked in Dubbo for the past 12 years, but the incident had him considering if he would return.

“We should put an ad in the paper saying ‘don’t come to Dubbo, people will attack you’,” he said.

Orana Mid-Western Police District put out a reminder for people to lock their vehicles, and Father Murphy urged anyone with information to come forward.

“If you know someone who could have done it, if you're someone's parent who should have done it, report it. If you happen to be a parent of someone who does something like that take them into the police station,” he said.

Anyone with information on the incident should call Dubbo Police Station on 6883 1599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.