Vandals strike New Jersey churches

Details from The South Jersey Times:  

St. Joseph was cut in half, St. Francis lost his arms and several other statues were vandalized at two Vineland Catholic churches, according to reports.

Vineland police officers were dispatched Thursday to Christ The Good Shepherd Parish at Sacred Heart Church on Landis Avenue for a reported criminal mischief complaint, authorities said.

Sometime during the night, according to police, unknown subjects vandalized statues on the property.

According to Peter Feuerherd, spokesman for the Diocese of Camden, damage included a statue of St. Joseph cut in half.

“This was a violent act against the statues and what they represent,” Feuerherd said. “This wasn’t some kind of prank.”

A few hours later, police were dispatched against to Divine Mercy Parish on Chestnut Avenue for further reports of vandalism.

The damage included a statue of St. Francis with his head and arms cut off and a defaced statue of the holy family.

Read more and see more picture at the link.