CALIFORNIA AVE. — Santa Monica Police are investigating an alleged hate crime after officials with St. Monica Catholic Church discovered a statue of the Virgin Mary beheaded shortly before Easter services commenced.
A priest found the 55-year-old marble statue, which stands on the corner of Seventh Street and California Avenue, decapitated around 5:45 a.m. on Sunday, spotting the head on the ground just a few feet away. The top of the statue was covered with a white plastic bag before service began.
“Even though it was a sad event, it didn’t take away from the joy of Easter and celebrating Christ’s resurrection,” Jason Farmer, the church spokesman, said. “The joy was still sustained and celebrated throughout the day.”
Police have not identified any suspects.
“Anytime a church or school is targeted, we look at it as a possible hate crime,” SMPD Lt. Darrell Lowe said. “In this case, since the vandalism was of a very important figure within the Catholic religion, we’re classifying it and investigating it as a hate crime.”
Authorities said they are not sure how the head was removed, but Farmer said that the top is not detachable.
The statue, which stands at about 5.5 feet tall and is mounted on a 3.5-foot-tall pedestal, was dedicated in 1954 in memory of Monsignor N. Conneally, who was the head of the church from 1923-1949.
The statue was vandalized in 2002 when both hands were taken off. The perpetrator was never caught, Farmer said.
The statue will be repaired and restored, Farmer said. A cost estimate was not available at presstime.
“The church considers it to be sad and there are certainly questions about why this was done,” Farmer said. “But our sadness is brief, especially in the celebration of Easter.
He said the church considers the incident as a challenge to be more welcoming and caring to those who are struggling or hurting in the community.
“What has happened to the statue is an invitation for us to live out a deeper, more profound love for others,” he said.
Seven brides serve me seven sins Seven seas writhe for me From Orient gates to R'lyeh Abydos to Thessaly And Sirens sing from stern But now I cease to play For I yearn to return To woodland ferns Where Herne and his wild huntress lay ------------ Damon Salvatore: What's so special about this Bella girl? Edward's so wipped. Caroline Forbes: You have to read the first book first, otherwise it won't make sense. Damon Salvatore: Uh, I miss Anne Rice, she was so on it. Caroline Forbes: Hey, how come you don't sparkle? Damon Salvatore: Because I live in the real world where vampires burn in the sun. Caroline Forbes: Yeah, but you go in the sun. Damon Salvatore: I have a ring, it protects me. It's complicated." http://the-dark-gift.deviantart.com/ http://www.myspace.com/the_dark_giftxxx
For a person who wants religious tolerance for hers, you dont seem that tolerant of others:P
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Lestat,
Seven brides serve me seven sins Seven seas writhe for me From Orient gates to R'lyeh Abydos to Thessaly And Sirens sing from stern But now I cease to play For I yearn to return To woodland ferns Where Herne and his wild huntress lay ------------ Damon Salvatore: What's so special about this Bella girl? Edward's so wipped. Caroline Forbes: You have to read the first book first, otherwise it won't make sense. Damon Salvatore: Uh, I miss Anne Rice, she was so on it. Caroline Forbes: Hey, how come you don't sparkle? Damon Salvatore: Because I live in the real world where vampires burn in the sun. Caroline Forbes: Yeah, but you go in the sun. Damon Salvatore: I have a ring, it protects me. It's complicated." http://the-dark-gift.deviantart.com/ http://www.myspace.com/the_dark_giftxxx
Even though I don't really know my place when it comes to religion....that's still f*cked up! I hope they catch the bastard(s) who did it, if not well they got hell coming to them.
Well just a statue, they could have done worse, like harmed someone..and what not. The law will catch them and charge them for the crime.
We are all taught to fear death, yet death is not the taker of life, just the receiver. The ticking of the clock draws us near. Time is death, and it shall take.
Posts: 514 | Location: Seattle Washington | Registered: April 10, 2006
Originally posted by AishaFox: Well just a statue, they could have done worse, like harmed someone..and what not. The law will catch them and charge them for the crime.
Doubtful. I bet it was the same person that took the hands off.
Originally posted by AishaFox: Well just a statue, they could have done worse, like harmed someone..and what not. The law will catch them and charge them for the crime.
It's what the statue represents though.
Seven brides serve me seven sins Seven seas writhe for me From Orient gates to R'lyeh Abydos to Thessaly And Sirens sing from stern But now I cease to play For I yearn to return To woodland ferns Where Herne and his wild huntress lay ------------ Damon Salvatore: What's so special about this Bella girl? Edward's so wipped. Caroline Forbes: You have to read the first book first, otherwise it won't make sense. Damon Salvatore: Uh, I miss Anne Rice, she was so on it. Caroline Forbes: Hey, how come you don't sparkle? Damon Salvatore: Because I live in the real world where vampires burn in the sun. Caroline Forbes: Yeah, but you go in the sun. Damon Salvatore: I have a ring, it protects me. It's complicated." http://the-dark-gift.deviantart.com/ http://www.myspace.com/the_dark_giftxxx
Seven brides serve me seven sins Seven seas writhe for me From Orient gates to R'lyeh Abydos to Thessaly And Sirens sing from stern But now I cease to play For I yearn to return To woodland ferns Where Herne and his wild huntress lay ------------ Damon Salvatore: What's so special about this Bella girl? Edward's so wipped. Caroline Forbes: You have to read the first book first, otherwise it won't make sense. Damon Salvatore: Uh, I miss Anne Rice, she was so on it. Caroline Forbes: Hey, how come you don't sparkle? Damon Salvatore: Because I live in the real world where vampires burn in the sun. Caroline Forbes: Yeah, but you go in the sun. Damon Salvatore: I have a ring, it protects me. It's complicated." http://the-dark-gift.deviantart.com/ http://www.myspace.com/the_dark_giftxxx
Originally posted by AishaFox: Well just a statue, they could have done worse, like harmed someone..and what not. The law will catch them and charge them for the crime.
It's what the statue represents though.
What the heck is the matter with people? What would posess them to do something like that.
You nailed it right. Things will catch up with them sooner or later.
Seven brides serve me seven sins Seven seas writhe for me From Orient gates to R'lyeh Abydos to Thessaly And Sirens sing from stern But now I cease to play For I yearn to return To woodland ferns Where Herne and his wild huntress lay ------------ Damon Salvatore: What's so special about this Bella girl? Edward's so wipped. Caroline Forbes: You have to read the first book first, otherwise it won't make sense. Damon Salvatore: Uh, I miss Anne Rice, she was so on it. Caroline Forbes: Hey, how come you don't sparkle? Damon Salvatore: Because I live in the real world where vampires burn in the sun. Caroline Forbes: Yeah, but you go in the sun. Damon Salvatore: I have a ring, it protects me. It's complicated." http://the-dark-gift.deviantart.com/ http://www.myspace.com/the_dark_giftxxx
