Virgin Mary statue vandalized at Catholic organization in Lincoln

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Police are investigating after a statue was vandalized at a Catholic organization in Lincoln.

Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska near 23rd and O streets reported the vandalism to Lincoln Police on Thursday.

Spokesman John Soukup said an employee discovered a 5-foot resin statue of the Virgin Mary upside-down in a trash bin.

He said the monetary damage was minimal.

“It’s just the gesture, the fact that this happened that’s most upsetting,” Soukup said.

Security video captured a man prying the statue from its platform around 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

The statue was attached to the platform with cement adhesive, officials said.

FBI data show that religiously motivated crimes in the U.S. went up by 28% from 2021 to 2022. 

The motive for the Catholic Social Services vandalism is still under investigation.  

“All we can do is pray for that person that took that statue and did this sort of vandalism,” Soukup said. “Pray that they find some sort of hope and they realize the bad thing that they’ve done.” 

An investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to call police at 402-441-6000.