Authorities Search for Church Statue Vandals

SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio — A Catholic church in South Euclid was vandalized over the weekend.

A vandal toppled three large statues from their foundations at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parrish on South Green Street. Two statues of Saint Anthony and a 1,000-pound statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary were all slightly damaged by the fall.

The whole congregation is saddened by the vandalism.

“It’s really disheartening to see such a thing happen, this is a desecration. This is a scared spot, sacred items and for someone to do that really breaks your heart,” says Father Dave Ireland the pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish.

Sacred Heart is repairing the statues, and they will be returned to their foundations soon.

South Euclid police are still investigating the incident and so far, no arrests have been made. They are urging anyone with information on this crime to give them a call at 216-381-1234.