BURLINGTON, MA — Burlington Police Chief Michael Kent reports that the Burlington Police Department is investigating the disturbing vandalism of three religious statues at a local Catholic church.
Burlington Police responded Tuesday morning to St. Margaret Parish, located at 111 Winn St. for a report of vandalism. Upon arrival, Detective Thomas Carlson and Detective Albert Gagne noted that three religious statues had been vandalized. Two statues, which sit at the top of a hill on the property, had their hands severed and multiple sets of rosary beads removed and scattered on the ground. The third statue, located near the rectory and depicting the Virgin Mary, had its head severed and both hands removed.
The detectives are now engaged in an active and ongoing investigation.
Officials believe the damage was done between Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
“This is a deeply disturbing crime committed against a religious institution in our community during a major holiday season,” Chief Kent said. “We will undertake a thorough investigation and use all assets at our disposal to find those responsible and hold them accountable.”
If anyone has any information on the vandalism or saw anything suspicious at the church, they are urged to contact the Burlington Police Department at 781-272-1212.
State Rep. Ken Gordon, who represents Precinct 3 in Wilmington – along with all of Burlington and Bedford — issued the following statement on Tuesday:
Burlington’s peaceful community has once again been shaken by a senseless act of vandalism directed toward a place of worship.
Father Frank Silva was completing his morning walk on church grounds this morning when he discovered that several significant statutes had been destroyed. The head of one figure was removed, along with the hands of two others. While the situation is under investigation and no motive behind the destruction has been uncovered, it is disheartening that the act follows those in past years directed at the Islamic Center and Temple Shalom Emeth.
No one should be made to feel uncomfortable in or around their place of worship. Burlington as a community will not stay silent as someone threatens the security of our neighbors. Once again, we remind ourselves that acts of destruction and intimidation do not define us. What defines us is our response to them.
I was informed of this act of disrespect by Rabbi Susan Abramson. She assured me that leaders of other faiths in town stand by to support those who pray at St. Margarets. I join with town officials in offering our full support. We stand with you.
(NOTE: The above press release and photo is from the Burlington Police Department via John Guilfoil Public Relations. The above statement from State Rep. Ken Gordon was submitted by his office.)
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