Lord, please have mercy on us!
Vandals set fire to a statue of Our Lady outside St. Peter Parish in Boston, Mass. on Saturday night. The Boston Police Department is investigating the incident as an arson case.
The Boston Fire Department told officers that “an unknown suspect had set fire to plastic flowers, which were in the hands of the statue, causing the face and upper body of the statue to be burned.”
The parish built the statue 75 years ago to welcome returning World War II soldiers and to remember those killed in the war.
“There’s too much division, too much hatred, and too much beating each other up,” St. Peter pastor Fr. John Currie told WCVB Channel 5 Boston.”
“Hopefully from this, we can have a sign from our God that we need to keep pressing the issue of reconciliation, unity, and peace.”
Here’s photos of the burned statue below:
Fr. John Currie prayed next to the statue on Sunday.
“This is obviously someone who’s disturbed, someone who has a troubled soul,” he said. “I know Our Lady in heaven is looking down at the soul, or whoever it might have been, and saying, ‘I love you.'”
“If you need help, come get help. We’re here for you.”
The Archdiocese of Boston also issued a statement.
“Whoever is responsible for the desecration of the Holy Mother’s statue is clearly a troubled soul. Mary represents all that is good and pure in our world,” the spokesperson said.
“We have confidence in local law enforcement to investigate this matter…We pray for the person or persons responsible.”
Here’s WCVB Channel 5 Boston news report below:
Click here if you cannot see the video above.
The Boston Police Department asks those with information to contact the CrimeStoppers Tip Line.
Here’s the full statement below:
Please pray for peace in our country! Our Lady, Queen of Peace, please pray for us!
[See also: Man Drives Car into Florida Catholic Church, Sets Fire With Parishioners Inside]
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