The Diocese of Brooklyn is reporting two acts of religious vandalism which occurred over the past two weekends, one at St. Gertrude Roman Catholic Church in Far Rockaway and another at St. Rita Roman Catholic Church in Long Island City. Both churches have been previously targeted by vandalism.
During the overnight hours of Saturday, March 14 into Sunday, March 15, the statue of the Blessed Mother in front of St. Gertrude was knocked over and smashed. This is the third attack on the statue in less than six months. The 100-year-old statue was heavily damaged in this latest incident and is considered irreparable.
On Saturday, March 21, 2026, parishioners of St. Rita’s discovered the vandalism to the statue of St. Francis of Assisi on their way to morning Mass. This is the third act of religious vandalism in two years. Video footage shows the statue being spray-painted with blue paint at approximately 6:30 a.m. The suspect also wrote the word “pagan” on the sidewalk and on the pedestal of the statue.
The New York City Police Department has classified both incidents as hate crimes. Anyone with information is asked to call NYPD Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
Photos of the vandalism to the statue at St. Gertrude and St. Rita’s are labeled and attached. Video footage of the attack at St. Rita’s is also available here: https://vimeo.com/1177107224
###
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Adriana Rodriguez
(646) 241-9805
adrodriguez@diobrook.org
John Quaglione
(718) 576-9180
jquaglione@diobrook.org
