Statue of Mary and altar defaced with black paint in Soest
On 10 August 2026, the St. Patrokli-Dom in Soest was vandalised by unknown perpetrators who defaced a statue of the Virgin Mary, a side altar, a wall and the floor with black paint. This incident is not the first to affect the cathedral, which is described as a landmark of cultural and religious heritage for the community.
On 10 August 2026, the St. Patrokli-Dom in Soest was vandalised by unknown perpetrators who used black paint to deface a statue of the Virgin Mary, a side altar, the floor, and the wall of the Cathedral. The estimated costs of the property damage are around €15,000 in repairs.
According to the report, it is unclear whether the extensive damage is entirely salvageable. The Cathedral Provost, Dietmar Röttger, wrote: "It's just so pointless. Great art treasures are being damaged. Religious sites are being desecrated to some extent. That makes me angry and sad." The report states this is the second time the church has been vandalised, with a statue of Jesus being smeared with chocolate only four weeks prior.
At the time of reporting, the church and police had not been able to identify any suspected individuals, but are appealing for witness statements.
Sources: katholisch.de, wdr.de
Image: (c) Soest Police