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https://www.merkur.de/deutschland/s...bei-statue-kopf-von-jesus-ab-zr-92702477.html
Unknown people have massively damaged a figure of the Virgin Mary in the Saarbrücken Basilica of St. Johann. One of Mary's hands was severed and the head of the baby Jesus in her arms was broken off, the police in Saarbrücken said on Wednesday. The police are investigating property damage. It is assumed that the perpetrator or perpetrators committed the crime on Monday.
Saarbrücken - In addition, two large candles were destroyed and there was damage to the altar due to a cigarette being put out. According to police, the broken head of the baby Jesus statue and the damaged hand were found near the Mary statue. The “Saarbrücker Zeitung” had previously reported on it.
The cantor of the basilica, Bernhard Leonardy, wrote in a Facebook post: “The figure of Mary was badly damaged, the head of the baby Jesus was cut off.” He was “completely shocked at how people would come up with such thoughts,” he told the dpa news agency. “This is not normal vandalism, but also has a very special symbolic meaning.”
Many people were horrified in comments on the post: “I can’t believe it…”, “That leaves me speechless!” or “Who does something like that? I can’t understand that!” it says, for example.
According to Leonardy, these are original figures from the 18th century that stand in a side altar in the basilica. “We have tried to always be an open-door church in the basilica. With concerts and other things. Anyone can light a candle in this church.” The reaction shouldn’t be: “We’re closing everything down, we’re isolating ourselves.” dpa
Unknown people have massively damaged a figure of the Virgin Mary in the Saarbrücken Basilica of St. Johann. One of Mary's hands was severed and the head of the baby Jesus in her arms was broken off, the police in Saarbrücken said on Wednesday. The police are investigating property damage. It is assumed that the perpetrator or perpetrators committed the crime on Monday.
Saarbrücken - In addition, two large candles were destroyed and there was damage to the altar due to a cigarette being put out. According to police, the broken head of the baby Jesus statue and the damaged hand were found near the Mary statue. The “Saarbrücker Zeitung” had previously reported on it.
The cantor of the basilica, Bernhard Leonardy, wrote in a Facebook post: “The figure of Mary was badly damaged, the head of the baby Jesus was cut off.” He was “completely shocked at how people would come up with such thoughts,” he told the dpa news agency. “This is not normal vandalism, but also has a very special symbolic meaning.”
Many people were horrified in comments on the post: “I can’t believe it…”, “That leaves me speechless!” or “Who does something like that? I can’t understand that!” it says, for example.
According to Leonardy, these are original figures from the 18th century that stand in a side altar in the basilica. “We have tried to always be an open-door church in the basilica. With concerts and other things. Anyone can light a candle in this church.” The reaction shouldn’t be: “We’re closing everything down, we’re isolating ourselves.” dpa
