FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 25, 2024
BLESSED MOTHER STATUE ATTACKED OUTSIDE QUEENS CATHOLIC CHURCH
The Diocese of Brooklyn is announcing a hateful act of vandalism that took place in the early morning hours of Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, located at 88-19 Parsons Boulevard in the Jamaica section of Queens.
In the incident, a vandal approached the statue of the Blessed Mother located in front of the rectory at approximately 3:15 a.m. The man picked up a rock from the parish garden and began to repeatedly strike the statue, causing damage to the face, side, and hands of the Blessed Mother statue. The hands, which were in a praying position, were found on the ground near the statue.
“Mary is a source of humility, charity, and love. Because there are people in this world who oppose these virtues, there are some who are bothered by them. It is necessary to pray for this man and for all those who are deceived by the evil one, that they may come to see the love of God. It is then that their anger against what is humble, charitable, and lovable, may come to an end,” said Father Victor M. Bolaños, Pastor of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Parishioners are very saddened and frustrated because it is unclear at this time if the statue can be repaired. The statue was gifted to the parish by Mary Immaculate Hospital at the time of its closing in 2009. In a separate incident last year, the sword of the statue of St. Michael the Archangel was damaged and replaced at the parish.
Police officers from the NYPD’s 103rd Precinct are investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
Photos of the vandalism to the statue at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish are attached. Video footage is available here: https://vimeo.com/1012986721.
###
