CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The Citrus Heights Police Department is investigating the perpetrators responsible for beheading a statue of the Virgin Mary and vandalizing a display of the Ten Commandments with a Nazi swastika at Holy Family Parish Catholic Church.

The leaders of the vandalized Citrus Heights church on Monday, August 17, took the opportunity to respond with humanity to those who sought to humiliate and intimidate. Fr. Enrique Alvarez said in a statement that the action seems to be “born of inner pain for which we must have compassion”.

To Alvarez the destructive and reckless action seems to offer “no statement, advance no cause and uplifts no one”. The act seems to be part of the ongoing social unrest that seeks to create disorder and violence everywhere. Alvarez said of the fascist symbol and anti-Catholic spirit that it “seek[s] to add to the sorrows in our world and bring pain… in a time already full of it.”

Fortunately, no one was hurt and the statue has now been repaired, inspiring the church to a “faith that is stronger and longer-lasting than stone,” finalized Alvarez.

Source: Statement from Holy Family Parish Catholic Church