FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 17, 2021
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org
John Quaglione
718-576-9180
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org
NEWLY DEDICATED STATUE OF ST. BERNADETTE DAMAGED OUTSIDE QUEENS CATHOLIC CHURCH
The Diocese of Brooklyn this afternoon is reporting an act of vandalism that has caused destruction to a newly installed statue of St. Bernadette, located outside St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church in the Flushing section of Queens.
The incident occurred at approximately 3:30 a.m. this morning when a man jumped over the church fence and knocked the statue over. The damage to the statue is in the area of the left forearm and wrist.
The statue of St. Bernadette and a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes were dedicated earlier this summer, in remembrance of all parishioners who lost their lives to the Coronavirus. Father Vincentius Do, Pastor of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, is already planning to have the statue repaired.
“St. Michael’s plays a central role in the faith and care of our neighbors through our masses and faith-based services and that feed the hungry. For sure this act of vandalism is upsetting, but the faithful of St. Michael’s and I are praying for the person who committed this act against our church. It is important to find the good in all things, and so I wish to take this opportunity to encourage the public to respect our church and our property, as well as that of all houses of worship,” said Father Vincentius Do, Pastor.
The 109th Precinct of the New York City Police Department is investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).
St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church, the first parish founded in Queens County in 1833, is located at 136-76 41st Avenue in Flushing. St. Bernadette is the patron saint of the poor, those ridiculed for their faith, and the sick.
Photos of the damaged statue are attached.
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