BREAKING Medjugorje Catholic Shrine Attacked and Set on Fire with Statue of Our Lady Desecrated - Suspect Arrested
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Medjugorje Parish Responds to Vandalism with Call for Prayer and Forgiveness
Following an overnight attack that defaced a statue of Our Lady and set fire to an outdoor altar, the parish of Medjugorje in Bosnia and Herzegovina has condemned the vandalism while urging the faithful to respond with grace, fasting, and forgiveness.
UPDATE (Mir Centre Medjugorje) Following the recent acts of vandalism, members of the parish community, the Cenacolo Community, and other volunteers came together to restore the statue of Our Lady and other affected areas in Medjugorje.
The outdoor altar of St. James Church was also restored, allowing the evening prayer program to continue that same day
A 31-year-old Polish man, Bartek Krakowiak, is suspected of carrying out the acts of vandalism and was arrested by local police in a town near Medjugorje.
In response to these events, the Medjugorje Parish Office has invited the faithful to respond as Our Lady has taught us for more than forty years: with prayer, fasting, and forgiveness.
Summary of the Incident
Vandalism on Apparition Hill: Around 4:30 a.m., police were alerted after the face and hands of the statue of Our Lady on Podbrdo were smeared with black paint and offensive messages were written nearby.
Arson at St. James Church: Shortly after, a fire broke out at the outdoor altar of St. James Church. Surveillance footage showed a man pouring liquid over the altar before igniting it; the flames were quickly put out.
Targeted Accusations: A Polish banner left at the site named six individuals associated with the 1981 Marian apparitions, accusing them of fraud.
Suspect Arrested: Local police subsequently detained a suspect in the Ljubuški area. Investigators are currently working to determine the motive and confirm whether the suspect was acting alone.
Parish Message: "Do Not Return Evil for Evil"
In a statement released Tuesday, the Medjugorje Parish Office expressed profound sadness over the desecration, but called on Catholics to maintain peace and pray for those responsible:
"We pray for the conversion of the hearts of those who committed this act... [encouraging the faithful] not to return evil for evil, but to bear witness through our lives to love, forgiveness, and hope."
Immediate restoration efforts were launched to clean the damaged areas, with parish officials thanking volunteers for helping ensure the shrine remains a place of peace and encounter with God.
Current Status & Vatican Context
Shrine Status: The Medjugorje shrine remains fully open to pilgrims, with all scheduled prayer programs proceeding without disruption.
Vatican Status: In September 2024, the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a nihil obstat regarding Medjugorje with the approval of Pope Francis, acknowledging the shrine's positive spiritual impact and permitting official public devotion.
The shrine remains open to all pilgrims. The prayer program is taking place regularly, and all the spaces are being rapidly cleaned and prepared so that they can once again be a place of prayer and encounter with the Lord through the intercession of the Queen of Peace.
It is with great sadness that we received the news of the act of vandalism that damaged the prayer areas in our parish. We immediately began cleaning and repairing the damage so that all areas would be properly prepared for the prayer again. We thank all those who, with their work and selfless help, participate in ensuring that the sanctuary remains a place of encounter with God, a place of peace, and a place where the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace, is honored.
In a special way, we invite all faithful to respond to this event in the way that Our Lady has been teaching us for over forty years in Medjugorje: with prayer, fasting, and forgiveness. We pray for the conversion of the hearts of those who committed this act, that the Lord may touch them with His grace and lead them on the path of goodness. We also pray for peace in the hearts of all people. Our Lady constantly invites us to be carriers of peace. May this event encourage us to take her invitation even more seriously: not to return evil for evil, but to witness love, forgiveness, and hope with our lives.
The shrine remains open to all pilgrims. The prayer program is taking place regularly, and all the spaces are being rapidly cleaned and prepared so that they can once again be a place of prayer and encounter with the Lord through the intercession of the Queen of Peace.
Parish Office Medjugorje
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