Another Virgin Mary Statue Decapitated at Area Catholic Church

BILLERICA, MA - One day after statues at a Burlington Catholic church were vandalized, vandals struck a church in neighboring Billerica. In both instances, Virgin Mary statues were decapitated and had their hands severed.

Billerica Police Chief Daniel Rosa says officers responded Wednesday morning to St. Mary's Church at 796 Boston Road for a report of vandalism.

When he arrived Sgt. Frank Mirasolo spoke with a maintenance worker who said a parishioner alerted him to a damaged statue located behind the church this morning. The statue, depicting the Virgin Mary, had its head and both hands severed.

Rosa says he believes the damage was done late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.

“We are actively investigating this disturbing crime and will continue to do so until we find those responsible,” Chief Rosa said in a statement. “If you have seen anything suspicious around this church or any other religious institution, contact police immediately.”

Overnight Monday into Tuesday, three statues were vandalized at Burlington's St. Margaret's Church. Similar to the Billerica incident, St. Margaret's statue of the Virgin Mary also had its head severed and both hands removed. Two other statues on the property had their hands severed and multiple sets of rosary beads removed and scattered on the ground.

That incident came just days after a Virgin Mary statue was vandalized over the weekend in Norwood.

Detectives in all three towns are investigating.

Terrance Donilon, spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Boston told Patch as they noted over the weekend following the Norwood vandalism, "we should pray for the person or persons who are responsible."

Donilon also said the Archdiocese is assisting the parishes in addressing how best to restore or replace the statues.

Photos Courtesy Billerica Police and Burlington Police