Students facing punishment after Virgin Mary statue shattered at University of St. Thomas

Several university of St. Thomas students destroyed a statue of Mary that had long been a fixture in Ireland Hall, a men’s residence on its St. Paul campus, the university announced in March 12 email to its community.

The vandalism occurred in the early morning hours of March 3.

“This was a grave act of disrespect, which has deeply hurt many in our community,” President Julie Sullivan and Executive Vice President and Provost Richard Plumb said in the statement. “We condemn this act of religious disrespect, are saddened by the pain this event has caused, and expect all in our community to respect our important faith symbols.”

The plaster statue was 42 inches tall and stood unsecured on a wooden base near a stairwell. The statement said it “was moved and ultimately purposefully dropped and shattered.”

continue at The Catholic Spirit

HT WM