By Currents News
A statue of the Virgin Mary was smashed at St. Gertrude’s Church in Far Rockaway, marking the second act of vandalism at the parish in recent months.
According to the pastor, Father Francis Shannon, the damage occurred sometime between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. He said a vandal appears to have thrown an object at the head of the statue, smashing the back of it and causing the statue to topple to the ground.
Father Shannon believes the same individual may be responsible for both attacks on the parish. In an interview with Currents News, he expressed concern that the suspect could be dealing with more than just mental illness, describing the act as deeply troubling.
The parish is now working closely with police as the investigation continues. Father Shannon said plans are underway to repair the statue and place it inside a protective glass case in hopes of preventing future vandalism.