Christians ‘fearful’ after church statue vandalised

Members of a Catholic church in north London have expressed concern for his or her safety after one among their statues was vandalised. 

Worshippers at St Joseph’s Church in Wembley found their Virgin Mary statue smashed to pieces last week, the Catholic Herald reports, leaving an empty plinth. 

The incident occurred on the evening of 6 August or within the early hours of seven August, and the perpetrators have still not been identified. 

“The Parish community as an entire is saddened by this mindless act,” an office staff member told the Catholic Herald. “But we are going to utilise this chance to strengthen our faith.”

A worshipper on the church told GBNews that the act of vandalism was an “attack” and that they feared more incidents. 

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the congregant said, “I knew there wasn’t going to be news coverage on this.”

Speculating on who vandalised the statue, they added, “Either it is a lone, crazy man who did this or someone who had a motive of hatred towards Christians.

“My family do get anxious but nothing will stop us from attending church.”

They added that “Christians are being attacked too”.

“It’s not only concerning the church, it’s concerning the attack on Christians worldwide, in all places. We feel fearful,” they said.