Vandals deface Our Lady statues and set fire to altar at Medjugorje shrine

Vandals defaced two statues of Our Lady and set fire to the outdoor altar at the Medjugorje shrine in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The damage occurred on July 28, shortly before the annual Mladifest youth festival at St. James Church.

The statue on Podbrdo was covered in black paint on the face, chest, and dress, while the words "Devil in a skirt" were written on its pedestal. A statue at the nearby Blue Cross was also defaced, with the word "EVIL" written on a stone slab. A banner in Polish naming the six alleged seers was found near the Podbrdo statue.

Police in Čitluk received reports of the vandalism at 4:30 a.m. and a fire at the renovated altar behind St. James parish church at 5 a.m. Surveillance footage showed a man dousing the altar with flammable liquid before igniting it. Cantonal police confirmed that a suspect was arrested on Tuesday afternoon, though his identity has not been released.

The Medjugorje parish office stated that cleanup began immediately and the shrine remains open to pilgrims. Bishop Petar Palić of Mostar-Duvno expressed sorrow regarding the damage to the places of prayer.