Statues of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Mary and St. Joseph were removed from and destroyed Sept. 21 at St. Mary Parish in Sigourney. The Keokuk County Sheriff’s Department arrested a man in connection with the vandalism.
By Anne Marie Amacher
The Catholic Messenger
SIGOURNEY — A man has been arrested in connection with the destruction of three statues removed from St. Mary Church and strewn in broken pieces on parish grounds Sept. 21. Pastor Father Rob Lathrop said the church was unlocked early that morning. Sometime before daylight, an individual entered the church, removed the statues and destroyed them. The statues of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Mary and St. Joseph are not salvageable, he said. Some metal angel decorations were damaged but are salvageable. Father Lathrop is working with Catholic Mutual Insurance with plans to replace at least the St. Mary and St. Joseph statues.
According to the Keokuk County Sheriff’s Department report, Jacob Vedepo, 39, has been charged with criminal mischief second degree (vandalism). The criminal report values the three statues at $9,000.
Father Lathrop said by Mass time he received word of the arrest. He hopes the person found guilty of the crime will get the help he needs.
