Vandalism at Medjugorje shrine damages statues, altar fire

A popular Catholic pilgrimage site in Bosnia and Herzegovina was vandalized early Tuesday, July 28, just days before it was set to host a major international youth festival. Authorities reported that statues of the Virgin Mary were defaced and an outdoor altar was set on fire at the Marian shrine in Medjugorje.

The damage was discovered by residents Tuesday morning. A statue of Mary on Apparition Hill, also known as Podbrdo, was covered with black paint on its face, chest, and dress, with the words "Devil in a skirt" scrawled on its pedestal. A second statue at the nearby Blue Cross site was similarly defaced, with the word "EVIL" written on a stone slab. Security camera footage published by a local outlet showed a man pouring a flammable liquid on the outdoor altar behind St. James parish church and setting it alight. Police in Čitluk received the first report at 4:30 a.m. and a report of the fire at 5 a.m.

Cantonal police later confirmed that a suspect was arrested on Tuesday afternoon, though his identity has not been released. The investigation is ongoing.

The vandalism occurred just days before the start of Medjugorje's annual Mladifest youth festival, which begins in the...