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Devilish Graffiti at Holy Shrine
28 Jul
Summary
- A man was arrested for vandalizing a Catholic shrine.
- A statue of the Virgin Mary was defaced with paint.
- An outdoor altar was set on fire near the shrine.
A suspect was arrested on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in connection with overnight vandalism and arson at the Shrine of Our Lady in Medjugorje, Bosnia. The attacks occurred just days before the annual youth prayer festival, which was anticipated to draw over 50,000 pilgrims. Investigators are working to determine the motive behind the desecration of a Virgin Mary statue and the subsequent fire at an outdoor altar.
Investigators responded around 4:30 a.m. on July 27, 2026, to find the statue on Apparition Hill covered in black paint, with the pedestal spray-painted with the phrase "Devil in a skirt." Surveillance footage indicated a man poured gasoline on a nearby outdoor altar before setting it on fire; the blaze was quickly extinguished.
In response, the parish condemned the vandalism, advocating for prayer, fasting, and forgiveness over anger. Immediate cleanup and restoration efforts began to ensure the site remains welcoming for pilgrims. Despite the incident, the shrine remains open, and its regular schedule of services will proceed as planned, emphasizing a message of peace and hope.
