FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 1, 2024
DISTURBING ATTACK ON STATUE AT QUEENS CATHOLIC CHURCH
The Diocese of Brooklyn is announcing a hateful act of vandalism that took place yesterday, Sunday, June 30, 2024, at Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, located in the Flushing section of Queens.
At 5:30 a.m. yesterday, video shows a vandal park his NYC Taxi SUV vehicle across the street from the church. He then walked directly towards the Holy Family statue and proceeded to decapitate the Child Jesus. The white marble head of the Child Jesus was found on the ground near the statue. The damage is estimated at $20,000 and the parish is looking to repair the statue.
The statue has been part of the parish for more than 42 years. The statues of Mary and Joseph, which stand with the Child Jesus, were unsuccessfully targeted and not damaged.
“The Holy Family is the foundation of our faith community, and this statue holds special meaning to so many in our parish. This is a very unsettling incident, and those who attended Mass yesterday were shocked and horrified to find out this happened. We must pray for an increase in religious tolerance throughout our city,” said Father Sean Suckiel, the parish Pastor.
Police officers from the 107th Precinct responded and classified the incident as a hate crime. Anyone with information is asked to call NYPD Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
Photos of the vandalism to the statue at Holy Family Church are attached.
Video footage can be found here: https://vimeo.com/973479443
###
