Alleged Holy Rosary statue vandal arrested in Jersey City

The Our Lady of Mount Carmel statue can be seen in this July 15, 2018, rededication ceremony photograph before the statue was destroyed earlier this month by a vandal. Pictured right is Father Jerzy (Jurek) R. Zasłona, pastor of Holy Rosary Church in Jersey City. Left is a visiting missionary priest. Standing in the center near the niche is Louisa DiBella, a parishioner who donated the funds used to make improvements to the statue.

Police arrested a man in connection with the destruction of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel statue near Holy Rosary Church in Jersey City. The arrest was received positively by parishioners who left comments on a parish Facebook post announcing the news yesterday.

The Our Lady of Mount Carmel statue near Holy Rosary Church in Jersey City was vandalized earlier this month.

“Thank you to the Jersey City Police Department for their great work every day for the people of Jersey City,” the post read. “May Saint Michael protect you always.”

Many expressed concern for the alleged vandal and said they will pray for him.

The attack happened at 2 a.m. on July 1. It was captured on surveillance video posted to Facebook and provided to police. In the video, a man is seen approaching the niche on Brunswick Street and pushes at the statue. He returns moments later and throws a large paver stone at Our Lady twice.

In a second video, the man returns, puts broken pieces of the statue in a black trash bag, swings it over his shoulder, and walks off, church officials said. Left behind were the head of baby Jesus and the paver stone.

The parish will replace the statue, and several parishioners sent in donations to help defray that cost. Still, others offered to replace the statue at full cost.

The Our Lady of Mount Carmel statue is around the corner from the church near the former parish school and convent. The properties are leased. However, the parish maintains the statue and another one nearby of the Blessed Mother.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t the first incident of vandalism, church officials said. The Blessed Mother statue and grotto were vandalized three years ago and then again last month. It was removed for repairs.

Church officials are hopeful the arrest will end the vandalism, and they urged parishioners to pray for the man involved.

“We pray that he receives the mental health guidance he needs,” yesterday’s Facebook post read.