Lord, have mercy!
Two statues of Our Blessed Mother were beheaded in the Pomona Valley, Cali. area within the last month, according to CBS Los Angeles.
The most recent attack occurred Mar. 30 at Saint Margaret Mary’s Church in Chino, Calif. The vandal beheaded a statue of Our Lady of Fatima.
The church covered the statue with cloth because they said she is “too upsetting to look at in this condition.”
Here’s before and after photos:
According to CBS Los Angeles, “Saint Margaret Mary Church thinks the same person is responsible for [the Feb. 25 statue vandalism at Our Lady of Lourdes in Montclair] and now they wonder if the same person destroyed their double pane stained glass window last month.”
The churches also believe the vandal used a sledgehammer.
The Feb. vandal at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Montclair decapitated statues of both Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernadette, reportedly causing an estimated $10,000 in damage.
Parish Administrator Fr. Clarence Gesbert Saldua, MS, issued this Facebook statement on Mar. 16:
“We’re still investigating whether the statues can be economically repaired, and have pricing to replace the statues if necessary.
“We will be adding fencing around the grotto and are fortunate that one of our parishioners has graciously donated his labor to help us manage that portion of the cost.
“Lastly, we will be enhancing security lighting and adding more cameras. The total estimated cost is $10,000. Many people have stepped forward to contribute, but we’re not there yet.”
Here’s photos of the vandalized statues at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church:
The parish captured security footage of the attack, but the video is too dark to determine the suspect’s identity. It appears he used a sledgehammer.
Watch the security footage below:
CBS Los Angeles reported that neither church “knows why they were targeted, but they’re praying for the person who’s trying to hurt them.”
Saint Margaret Mary Church’s Pastoral Administrator Marianne Hacker said, “We’re always willing to forgive, and we’re always willing to help if there’s anger.”
Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Administrator Fr. Clarence Gesbert Saldua said he would “still like to speak to the suspected vandal” and that he is “willing to listen to wherever their anger is coming from.”
ChurchPOP also recently reported that vandals desecrated 12 Catholic Churches in France within the last month.
Let us pray for our persecuted Church, and for the conversion of sinners!
Our Lady, please pray for us! Lord, have mercy on us!
[See also: Vandals Desecrate 12 French Catholic Churches: “Reflection of a Sick Civilization”]
[See also: God Wants to Forgive You: Let Confession Bring You Fully Home This Lent, Priest’s Meditation Encourages]