St Mary's Church in Neillsville vandalized, most of the statuary was destroyed, Bp. Callahan to preside at Mass in reparation for desecration

St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville was vandalized late Thursday night or early Friday morning.

The following is statement from Father Joseph, the Pastor at St. Mary’s. “Last night St. Mary Parish Church in Neillsville was vandalized. The damage, which was discovered this morning, was limited to the interior of the church. Most of the statuary was destroyed. The police were called immediately and are making their investigation. No one was injured. Heartfelt thanks go out to all who helped during this incident. The work of the law enforcement and the many others who came to help with the cleanup is greatly appreciated. We are saddened that our church was desecrated and the sanctuary was violated. Crimes committed in a church affect and do injury to the entire Christian community, which the church building in a sense symbolizes and represents. St. Mary’s is a house of prayer and we ask people to pray for the perpetrators so that the Lord may give them the grace for conversion.”

“Reparation for the desecration of a church is to be carried out with a penitential rite celebrated as soon as possible. St. Mary’s will have a penitential service at 3 pm on Saturday. All the faithful are invited to participate in reparation for the desecration done to our church. Weather permitting Bishop William Patrick Callahan will join our community for the Saturday Vigil Mass. Please keep the faithful of St. Mary Parish in your prayers during this time of need.”

CWB Radio

Update: Person of interest arrested after Neillsville church vandalized

NEILLSVILLE, Wis.-- Neillsville Police have been following up on leads and officers have arrested a person of interest in the vandalism complaint. The identity of the person arrested will not be made public at this time.

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