Statue of Christ Stolen from Crucifix in L'Escaillère

Case information
Incident date
Country
Belgium
Place
L'Escaillère
Categories
  • Social Hostility / Intolerance
Attack Against
  • Faith
Perpetrator / Motive Indicators
  • Private
Hate Crime & Violent Incidents
  • Desecration
  • Theft
Religious Freedom / Discrimination
  • Censorship or Removal of Public Christian Symbols
Place of Incident
  • Public Christian Symbol (outside place of worship)
Bias Indicators
  • Significance of Property/Structure/Location to religious community
  • Time/Place/Location
Reported to Police
  • Unknown
Response of Local Authorities
  • Unknown
Image credit: lameuse.sudinfo.be

A metal statue of Christ in L'Escaillère was ripped from its crucifix by thieves on March 18th. It was suspected that the act was done because of the rising metal prices and the statue could be sold and melted down. Nevertheless, the symbolic value of the statue of Christ for the community is very high and this theft shows clear disrespect for religious sentiments.