Multiple Marian Shrines Vandalised in Radom
Between 1 and 22 September 2026, a 34-year-old man allegedly damaged numerous roadside shrines and religious figures in Radom by defacing them with paint and damaging the religious statues. Reportedly vandalising up to ten historic chapels with images of the Virgin Mary, the suspect, after confessing to the vandalism, had 12 charges brought against him for the destruction of the figures. The local parish priest described the acts of vandalism as a blasphemy against God and the local community of believers.
The incidents of vandalism came to public attention in mid-September, when several historic shrines in Radom were found damaged. One Marian shrine was attacked twice within several days, (OIDAC, reported) and the statue of the Virgin Mary was found smashed and knocked off the stone pedestal. This site, along with four other chapels, were listed as historic monuments.
Other damaged sites inludded the St. Roch roadside shrine in Słowackiego Street, one of Radom's oldest shrines, and another Marian shrine in Limanowskiego Street. Fr. Adamczyk, parish priest of the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, stated: "It's difficult to understand the perpetrators' motivation...Unfortunately there are people around us who take offense at sacred objects." Further, he said the acts of vandalism was not merely an attack against an edifice, "but a blasphemy against God and believers."
Police subsequently identified and arrested a 34-year-old resident of Radom, Adrian M., at his home on 28 September. A day later, he had twelve charges brought against him relating to damage to historic shrines and religious figures.
Symbolic Image: Pixabay