A grotto of Our Lady of Vailankanni was damaged in an attempt of theft near Kashimira parish, Ghodbunder Road. The glass covering of the grotto was smashed and the ornaments adorning the statue were missing. The damaged statue was noticed by the parishioners of St. Jerome Church in the morning on the 7th of May.
The locals reported spotting a suspicious figure at around 3.30 am in the night, although the theft was discovered only in the morning. A prayer service for peace in the neighbourhood was led by Fr. Jerome who also blessed the statue thereafter. No police complaint has been lodged.
The parish priest of St. Jerome Church, Fr. Marsh Lopes in his statement to the press clarified that it did not seem to be a communal attack and was a pure case of theft. Fr. Lopes added that- “The miscreant wanted to rob some of the ornaments worn by the Our Lady of Vailankanni statue, which is why he or she broke the glass, the statue got damaged when the thief tried to pull the ornaments off; cracks have developed near the head. The jewellery was stolen as well, but it was fake. No case has been filed, as the family to whom the statue belonged, did not want to file a complaint.”
Source: Mid-day.com
