Statue of Virgin Mary destroyed by vandals at Westminster diocese church
A statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary has been attacked by unidentified assailants at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wembley and reduced to rubble, leaving an empty plinth.
The parish office confirmed that the attack happened on the night of 6 August or in the early hours of 7 August. They said they have no further details at the moment, and that the police are investigating.
“The Parish community as a whole is saddened by this mindless act,” an office staff member told the Catholic Herald. “But we will utilise this opportunity to strengthen our faith.”
The office was unable to confirm if there were any disturbances happening in the local area on the night of the attack that might be linked to ongoing turmoil occurring in the UK following the killing of three young girls in Southport during a knife attack.
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The St Joseph’s parish is part of the Brent Deanery of the Diocese of Westminster. The church was built in 1901 and consecrated in 1957.
A statue of Mary used to be located in a grotto at the front of the church, but was moved to the side of the church to make way for a new building. The alcove in which the new statue was placed faced out onto the street. Images on social media that claim to be of the destroyed statue show an empty plinth with chunks of white masonry on the street.
The killings of three young girls during a knife attack at a dance class in Southport and the subsequent fallout, especially in regard to the UK’s immigration system, has led to demonstrations, protests and riots across the country, involving various groupings including anti-immigrant and far-right, hooligan groups, as well as counter-protest and anti-racism groups.
During the turmoil, hotels housing migrants and other buildings have been attacked and vandalised.
English bishops have condemned the outbreaks of mob violence that have occurred in England and Northern Ireland against asylum seekers and refugees as well as immigrant communities.
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The bishop with responsibility for refugees in the Bishops’ Conference, Paul Mcaleenan, has responded to the mob attacks by condemning the intimidation by the rioters and praising the charities and volunteers who have supported the families and businesses that were targeted.
“Today, and always”, he said, “we need to continue to pray, work and stand together for peace in our country. The actions of the few involved in violence stands in stark contrast to the work of charities, church groups and volunteers who tirelessly extend the hand of welcome to migrants in acts of solidarity.
“We hope and pray that they will re-double their efforts so that we can rebuild communities after the terrible events of the last few days.”
Bishop Tom Neylan, the auxiliary bishop for Liverpool similarly called for calm. “There are non-violent means to resolving issues that we might not agree on in our society, so let’s use those methods to bring about the peace and healing we need at this moment.”
On 6 August, the memorial services for the three murdered girls were held. Alice Dasilva Aguiar was remembered as “the most beautiful, strongest girl in the world” during a memorial service and Mass said for her on 6 August at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in the English town of Southport.
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