The statue was in a grotto at the front of the church of the same name on the corner of Cameron Street and King Street.

Father Felix Ekeh went to say morning Mass at the church on Sunday, August 12, and one of the parishioners drew his attention to the vandalism outside in the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes.

The statue had been knocked down from its base and the head was smashed into pieces.

“People in the parish are really sad about it,” said Father Ekeh, who has reported the matter to the police.

“We don’t know exactly when or how it happened.  The statue was fine when we had evening Mass on Saturday night.  Nothing was wrong then, so it must have happened overnight on Saturday.”

Father Ekeh said nothing like this has ever happened before, although lights illuminating the grotto has been knocked off a few times in the past, and the church has had to replace them.

“It’s really very sad.  In the church yesterday, we prayed for whoever the culprit is or are,” said the priest.

“We hope to repair the statue, once we get the confirmation that the police have finished whatever they want to do.  We will go from there.”

A parishioner contacted the Wauchope Gazette to say that Father Felix was particularly upset because the gentleman who tended the garden and grotto for many years, Michael Azar, passed away on Saturday August 4 and his Requiem Mass was held at the church on Friday August 10.

Anyone with information can ring Port Macquarie police station on 6583 0199 or use the confidential Crime Stoppers number 1 800 333 000.

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