Bosnian police arrested a suspect Tuesday in connection with the overnight vandalism and arson at the Shrine of Our Lady in Medjugorje, a globally recognized Catholic pilgrimage site.
The statue of the Virgin Mary on Apparition Hill, also known as Podbrdo, was found covered in black paint on its face and hands. The pedestal was spray-painted with the English phrase “Devil in a skirt,” while other graffiti also appeared on the statue's hands. Additionally, an outdoor altar near St. James Church was set on fire. Surveillance footage reportedly shows a man pouring what investigators believe was gasoline onto the altar before igniting it. The fire was extinguished.
Authorities have not released the identity of the arrested suspect as investigations continue to determine a motive and whether he is connected to other incidents reported at the shrine that night.
The attacks occurred just days before Medjugorje's annual youth prayer festival, an event expected to attract over 50,000 pilgrims. Church officials condemned the vandalism and called for a response of “prayer, fasting, and forgiveness.”
“It is with great sadness that we received the news of the act of vandalism,” the Medjugorje Parish Office stated. Cleanup and repairs commenced immediately, with volunteers assisting to restore the damaged sites.
“The affected areas are being cleaned and restored as quickly as possible,” the parish said, expressing gratitude to volunteers for their efforts in preserving the shrine. The parish urged the faithful to pray for the conversion of the hearts of those responsible and to avoid responding to evil with evil, instead encouraging a bearing of witness through “love, forgiveness and hope.”
The shrine remains open, and its regular schedule of services will continue as planned. Located about 85 miles southwest of Sarajevo, Medjugorje gained prominence as a pilgrimage destination after six children and teenagers reported seeing apparitions of the Virgin Mary there in 1981. The Vatican has previously given approval for Catholics to visit and engage in devotion at the site.