Georgetown U.'s Mary statue defaced, students respond with prayer vigil

This happened in my "neighborhood" last week.

Before:

After:
A report by the Cardinal Newman Society.

Excerpts from an email sent out by Georgetown's Office of Mission & Ministry:

"Late last week, the Office of Campus Ministry became aware that the statue of the Blessed Mother on Copley Lawn had been vandalized: the face of the statue was painted black. We immediately contacted the Department of Public Safety, which is investigating the incident. We also made arrangements for the prompt renovation of the statue, which is currently underway.

...While we do not know the motivation of the person or persons who painted the face, nor whether they are members of the University community or not, all of the chaplaincies of Campus Ministry -- Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim -- recognize that the statue's alteration caused great pain to students, faculty and staff who hold particular devotion to the Blessed Mother.

For many people of faith on campus, the statue is a daily reminder of the University's religious identity. As a Catholic and Jesuit university committed to interreligious understanding, we hope that all religious symbols and sacred spaces on campus are respected.

...When the renovation of the statue is completed, the Roman Catholic Chaplaincy of Campus Ministry will rededicate the statue in a public ritual."

An appropriate response, I think.