The Shrine of Our Lady in Medjugorje was vandalized and partially set on fire; a statue of the Virgin Mary was defaced with the words "Devil in a skirt". A suspect was arrested as police investigate motive and possible connections to other incidents that night. The attacks happened days before a youth festival expected to draw over 50,000 pilgrims; the parish urged prayer, fasting and forgiveness while cleanup and services continue. The shrine remains open and restoration work is underway.
Medjugorje Shrine Vandalized and Partially Set Ablaze; Virgin Mary Statue Defaced
Virgin Mary Apparition Hill
A man has been arrested after the Shrine of Our Lady in Medjugorje, one of the world's best-known Catholic pilgrimage sites, was vandalized and partially set on fire, officials and media outlets reported.
Bosnian police detained a suspect on Tuesday in connection with overnight vandalism and arson at Apparition Hill (Podbrdo) and an outdoor altar near St. James Church, Vatican News said. Authorities have not released the suspect's identity as investigators work to determine a motive and whether the individual is linked to other incidents reported that same night.
Police were alerted around 4:30 a.m. on July 27 after the face and hands of a statue of the Virgin Mary on Apparition Hill were found covered in black paint. The pedestal at the statue's base was spray-painted in English with the words "Devil in a skirt," and additional graffiti was reported nearby.
Police were first called around 4:30 a.m. on July 27 after the face and hands of the statue of the Virgin Mary on Apparition Hill, also known as Podbrdo, were found covered in black paint.
Surveillance footage reportedly shows a man pouring what investigators believe was gasoline onto an outdoor altar close to St. James Church and igniting it; the blaze was later extinguished. Officials said cleanup and repairs began immediately so the damaged prayer sites could be restored to welcome pilgrims.
Parish Response: The Medjugorje Parish Office condemned the attack and urged the faithful to respond with "prayer, fasting, and forgiveness" rather than anger. The parish asked parishioners to pray for the conversion of those responsible and appealed for calm and reconciliation.
The incidents occurred just days before Medjugorje's annual youth prayer festival, which organizers expect will draw more than 50,000 pilgrims from around the world. Despite the damage, officials said the shrine remains open and that its regular schedule of Masses and prayer services will continue as planned.
Located about 85 miles (≈137 km) southwest of Sarajevo, Medjugorje rose to prominence after six local children reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary in 1981. In recent years the Vatican has allowed approved devotional pilgrimages to the site, though its status has remained contested within the Church.
What Investigators Are Doing
Investigators are reviewing surveillance recordings and other evidence to establish the exact sequence of events and any wider motive. Authorities have not confirmed links to other incidents on the same night and are continuing their inquiries.
Help us improve.
