By Jessica Easthope
A shocking act of vandalism at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church has left the parish community devastated after two beloved statues were desecrated early Monday, Oct. 21.
Father Liju Augustine, the church’s pastor, expressed his sadness over the incident.
One of the statues destroyed was of the Blessed Mother, which had been part of the church for nearly a century.
Recently restored and repainted, the statue’s right hand was shattered by the vandal.
In surveillance footage, a man can be seen on church property for about 30 minutes, behaving erratically. He kissed the statues inappropriately before proceeding to smash them.
“I’m not angry,” said Father Augustine. “I’m really saddened. But when I speak to my people, people of tremendous faith, we know how to forgive.”
Carmen Freeman and Jackie Lawrence, coordinators of the church’s food pantry, were among the first to witness the damage.
“I’m still in shock. I prayed for whoever did it,” said Freeman.
Lawrence echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the community’s faith in finding the person responsible and their commitment to praying for them.
In response to the incident, Father Augustine announced that the church’s gate, which had previously been open 24/7, will now close daily at 5 PM to prevent further acts of vandalism.