Fatima Shrine Vandalized

(Jan.13,2010): In Portugal, the church of the Holy Trinity and four statues at the shrine of Our Lady of Fatima were vandalized early Sunday morning. In a press release on Monday, officials from the shrine announced that in the early hours of Sunday morning, four statutes on the sides of the church, as well as the church itself were painted with graffiti. In the John Paul II Plaza, statutes of Popes John Paul II and Paul VI were painted. The same was done in the Pius XII Plaza, to the statues of Pope Pius XII and Bishop José Alves Correia da Silva. The graffiti includes the words "Islam," "moon," "sun," "Muslim" and "mosque."
A statement from shrine officials said the difficult work of cleaning is under way. In reporting what has happened, and without knowing who has done this, the shrine officials confirmed their sadness and said the issue had been reported to the police.