The Roman Catholic Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie is well on its way to replacing eight religious statues that were beheaded at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes.
The statues depict the Stations of the Cross and were originally erected in 1953. They were vandalized in May 2020, likely for the metal content, said David Sirois, assistant financial administrator at the Diocese.
Statues are being crafted by artist Timothy P. Schmalz (of Sculpture by Timothy P. Schmalz Inc.), which is slowly moving ahead, and on track to have them installed by the fall, said Sirois.
“At least we’re moving ahead now, because when the pandemic first hit, nothing was happening at all,” he said.
The Grotto has become a popular destination for photographers and residents looking for a unique setting.
"These statues have been there more than 70 years and haven’t been touched,” said Sirois. “For it to happen during the pandemic, we feel it might have been driven by a need for money. Whoever took the heads were after more, because they tried to cut the base of one of the statues, but it was too thick for whatever tools they had.”
“We were saddened by the fact someone did this, and it goes against the hard work done by all the volunteers who take care of this site for all these years.”
The almost-70-year-old statues being replaced will be sold, Sirois said.
Meanwhile, anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to contact Greater Sudbury Police at 705-675-9171 or Crime Stoppers at 705-222-TIPS (8477) or www.sudburycrimestoppers.com.
