A statue of Our Lady of Fatima, placed on a pedestal in front of the Matriz de Areias Church in Ferreira do Zêzere, has been removed from its pedestal and stolen for the second time.
The first time was in July 2023, with the image that had been placed in 2017, during the visit of the pilgrim image of Our Lady of Weeping, to mark the centenary of the apparitions to the three little shepherds in Fatima.
The Catholic community then raised funds and bought another statue, which was installed in October 2023. Now the second statue has been removed from its pedestal and stolen.
The Catholic community is saddened and disturbed by these acts of intolerance.