Police in the Chicago suburb of Berwyn are investigating after Mary and Joseph statues in a Catholic church’s garden were found with the heads removed.
Vandals also knocked over a statue of Jesus and egged a nativity scene in front of the St. Odilo church, Reuters reported.
Pastor Anthony Brankin said he learned of the incident Sunday when he heard someone scream.
Parishioners in the largely Hispanic suburb were gathering to mark the upcoming feast on Dec. 12 of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a depiction of the Virgin Mary that holds significance for Hispanic Catholics because of reported apparitions in Mexico in 1531, Reuters reported.
“It was very intentional, I think, to do something against religion in a very religious week and a very religious month,” Mr. Brankin said.
Berwyn Police confirmed their investigation, but had no comment, Reuters reported.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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