Crucifix and Virgin Mary Statue Vandalized at Georgetown University

Crucifix and Virgin Mary Statue Vandalized at Georgetown University

Who does this to the sacred space of any religion? And how do they live with themselves?

The College Fix reports:

Crucifix, Mary statue vandalized at Catholic Georgetown U., prompting ‘hate crime’ probe

Georgetown University officials have initiated an investigation into “potential hate crimes” after discovering damaged Catholic symbols in a campus chapel at the private Catholic institution in Washington D.C.

The University Police Department, responding to a report of vandalism in Dahlgren Chapel, discovered damage to a large processional crucifix that had been “inappropriately moved and sustained damage after being placed against the door,” stated Associate Vice President of Public Safety Jay Gruber and Vice President for Mission & Ministry Rev. Mark Bosco in an Aug. 30 letter to the campus community.

Moreover, the statue of the Blessed Mother by the Heyden Observatory and Gardens was “displaced and on the ground,” they wrote, adding: “We are currently investigating them as potential hate crimes.”

The motive of the individual or individuals involved is unclear, as is whether they are a member of the university community, according to the letter.

Police identified one suspect in video surveillance who entered the chapel around 11:40 p.m. the night before the discovery. He is described as “a light-complexioned male wearing a dark-colored hoodie and dark-colored pants.”

However, officers said they do not know whether he was involved in the vandalism.

In their letter, the two university leaders expressed deep concern over the desecration of religious symbols, calling the acts “hurtful and offensive.”

“Acts of vandalism, especially of sacred spaces, have no place in our campus community,” they stated, adding that in response to the incident, the school is “increasing patrols of all religious spaces on campus.”

The letter also alluded to other recent “irregularities” at the same locations on campus in the past few weeks, though no further details were provided.

In an email sent to Catholic students, the Catholic Ministry shared that the school is collaborating with the original artist who created the crucifix to restore it.

Teddy Tibbs, a student and the treasurer of a Catholic service organization on campus, told the campus newspaper, the Hoya, that students are really hurt by the vandalism.

“It’s going to take some time for our Catholic community to heal; this event has further created a culture of distrust between Catholics and non-Catholics on campus,” he said in an email to the Hoya.

“I also believe this event has brought many together and highlighted Georgetown’s identity as a Catholic university,” Tibbs wrote.

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