FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 31, 2023
NEARLY 110-YEAR-OLD STATUE OF THE BLESSED MOTHER DAMAGED BY VANDAL AT QUEENS CATHOLIC CHURCH
The Diocese of Brooklyn is announcing an attack on a statue of the Blessed Mother at St. Andrew Avellino parish located at 35-60 158th Street in the Flushing section of Queens, citing the parish’s determination to repair and return the statue of Mary to the Rosary Garden.
At some point late Monday night into Tuesday morning, the right hand of the statue of Mary was broken off the statue, and an attempt to remove the left hand was also made. The statue is nearly 110-years-old and has been part of the parish since 1914.
“The people of the parish of St. Andrew Avellino are saddened that events such as this are happening within our community and our city. We pray the individual who attacked our beloved statue of Mary in the Rosary Garden has a conversion of heart. The parish will get through this experience, and we are determined to put the Blessed Mother back in her rightful place,” said Father Gregory McIlhenney, the parish pastor.
The parish hosts a Rosary Rally on the first Saturday of every month at the Rosary Garden in front of the Blessed Mother statue. The Rosary Rally will go on as planned this Saturday, November 4, 2023, at 9 AM. All are invited to join in prayer.
The New York City Police Department’s 109th Precinct is investigating the incident. No parish video surveillance is available as the cameras were damaged in the recent storm. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
Photos of the vandalized statue of the Blessed Mother at St. Andrew Avellino are attached, courtesy of St. Andrew Avellino Roman Catholic Church.
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