A sacred shrine frequented by Catholic pilgrims has been vandalised in Bosnia. Medjugorje, a Marian shrine situated approximately 140km west of Sarajevo, attracts religious visitors throughout the year via organised tour operators.
On Tuesday morning, residents discovered desecrated statues and a burning altar, just days before a youth festival was due to take place in the town. A statue of Mary on Apparition Hill was defaced with black paint splattered across the face, chest and dress, while the words “Devil in a skirt” were scrawled on its pedestal.
Another similar statue had the word “EVIL” inscribed on a nearby stone slab, while an altar situated behind St James parish church was deliberately set alight, reports the Irish Mirror. Local media later reported that police had apprehended a suspect in connection with the incident.
View 2 ImagesVandals targeted the Medjugorje shrine in Bosnia, damaging statues and setting fire to an outdoor altar
The Medjugorje parish office released a statement saying: “We received with great sadness the news of the act of vandalism that damaged the places of prayer in our parish,” urging the faithful to respond “as Our Lady has been teaching us in Medjugorje for more than 40 years: with prayer, fasting, and forgiveness.”
The shrine continues to welcome all pilgrims, with the parish stating: “We pray for the conversion of the hearts of those who committed this act. It encouraged the faithful “not to return evil for evil”.”
Medjugorje’s history dates back to 1981, when six local youngsters claimed that Mary had manifested before them.
Throughout the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s, Medjugorje served as a wartime refuge where daily peace prayers continued uninterrupted despite the violence engulfing the region.
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