NEW ORLEANS — UPDATE: The New Orleans Police Department released images of a suspect they believe is responsible for the vandalism and is asking the public for assistance in finding him.
Father Herbert Kiff says his garden is his happy place.
“This is my sanctuary,” Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church Priest said.
It’s the place where he feels closest to God.
“It is where I come to talk to God on a face-to-face level,” Father Kiff said.
But a place that looks different now after he says someone vandalized two statues at Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church in Uptown on Friday night.
“We’re doing something very positive here and very beautiful, and evil doesn’t like what’s positive and beautiful,” Kiff said.
In security footage posted to social media by Mater Dolorosa, Father Kiff says a man climbs onto the Sacred Heart statue and breaks off his hands.
On Monday, NOPD was still investigating the incident, but the pastor believes it was targeted.
“You pray for those who persecute you, but it’s not about this fellow. That’s not it. It’s about what’s going on in the world. It is an anti-Catholic, anti-Christian environment,” Father Kiff said.
In his garden, Father Kiff says that the same man had uprooted a statue of Saint Padre Pio.
“It’s just disheartening. Why would anyone want to do that?” The priest asked.
It’s the Saint’s words that keep the priest’s faith in full bloom.
“We’re going to do what we have to do. We’re going to keep going and pray, hope, don’t worry,” Father Kiff said.
Father Kiff says both statues will be fully restored. Police have not announced a suspect, and no one has been charged with the crime.
We need to state that police have not announced any suspect explicitly, and no one has been charged. If you know anything about the incident, call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.
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