Virgin Mary Statue Desecrated in Attack in Porto-Vecchio
During the night of 30 September to 1 October, a statue of the Virgin Mary at a public street in Porto-Vecchio, Corsica, was deliberately pulled from its pedestal and destroyed while perpetrators filmed the incident. The statue, known as 'A Vergine Maria', is a place of devotion for local residents. The Catholic Church of Corsica has expressed support for the parish community and called on the faithful to pray for the conversion of those responsible.
The statue of the Virgin Mary stood beneath a stone arch at the Stabiacciu roundabout at the southern entrance to Porto-Vecchio. It was found lying on the ground on 1 October, with the damage confirmed by the public prosecutor as deliberate. Video footage subsequently emmerged, showing an individual climbing onto the statue, making obscene gestures and violently shaking it while another person filmed.
The mayor also condemned the destruction, calling it a "disgrace!" in a Facebook post. He further stated: "At the beginning of our first term...we installed a statue of the Virgin Mary under the arch of Stabiacciu roundabout. This symbol, to which the people of Porto-Vecchio are deeply attached, was vandalised and destroyed last night." The mayor further pledged for the statue to be replaced "as soon as possible."
The parish also filed a complaint, and has called on the public to remain calm. The Catholic Church in Corsica expressed support for the parish community and called on the faithful to pray for the conversion of those responsible. A prayer gathering was held at the Stabiacciu roundabout on the evening of 1 October.
Two suspects were identified and taken into police custody within hours of the incident.
Sources: infovaticana
Image: Social Media