AMERICA/UNITED STATES - Sacred Heart of Jesus statue destroyed in St. Patrick Cathedral

El Paso (Agenzia Fides) - A vandal destroyed a statue of Jesus at St. Patrick Cathedral in El Paso, Texas on Tuesday morning, September 15. According to the diocese, someone entered the sanctuary of St. Patrick’s Cathedral around 10 am and destroyed a nearly 90-year-old statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The statue had been placed behind the main altar of the church, which was open for prayer at the time of the vandalism. A suspect has been detained and an investigation by the city’s police is ongoing.
"I am in shock and we at the cathedral are heartbroken over such an unexpected situation", said the Rector of St. Patrick's Cathedral, Fr. Trini Fuentes. "This statue is one of my favorite representations of Jesus: his arms open wide in welcome, his heart aflame with love for us. I would often take inspiration from this image as I prepared for Mass", said the Bishop of El Paso, Mgr. Joseph Seitz. "As sad as I am to see a statue attacked and destroyed, I am grateful that it was not a living person. But a statue, particularly this statue, concretizes and connects us to persons and ideals that are not visible to our eyes. They reveal to us realities that are close to us, but unseen".
"We do not know anything about the person who carried out this assault, but he certainly must be a person who is greatly disturbed to have attacked this peaceful place in our city and this image of the King of Peace. I hope this might be the impetus for him to receive the help he needs. He will be in my prayers", concludes Mgr. Seitz in the note sent to Fides. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 17/9/2020)

Share:

violence

---

---

local churches

---

---