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SINGAPORE: A statue of Mary in the courtyard of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Hougang was found “defaced” on Thursday (November 12), a statement from the parish said Friday evening.
The church said the statue was found defaced around 8:30 a.m. Thursday.
He has reported the problem to authorities and said investigations are ongoing.
“We urge parishioners and members of the faithful not to speculate or spread unofficial information. Check the Church’s Facebook page for official updates,” he said in a Facebook post.
“We appreciate the concern of our parishioners and members of the faithful, and we will continue to remain in prayer.”
Police said they responded to the case around 10.50 a.m. Thursday.
They are investigating the crime of desecrating a place of worship with the intention of insulting religion of any kind.
Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (Photo: Facebook / Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
Formally known as the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Singapore), the current church building, located at 1259 Upper Serangoon Road, was built in 1901 and expanded in 1933. The parish was established around 1852 with a chapel with atap roof.
(Photo: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore)
The large marble statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary is flanked by two statuettes of angels. It was donated by the Sultan of Johor in 1947.
The Gothic-style church was listed as a national monument in 2005.
