ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Rochester police are searching for the person who stole a statue of Mary from the grotto behind Holy Cross Catholic Church in Charlotte. A candle now stands where the statue once was, leading church officials to believe it wasn’t vandalized, as there are no broken pieces left behind.
Father Bill Coffas, pastor of Holy Cross Church, expressed the community’s sadness over the missing statue. “And so to look at this space and not see the statue of the Blessed Mother makes me and my parishioners and the people in the community sad,” he said.
The statue was noticed missing after Mass on Sunday, and a police report was filed on Monday. Father Coffas is urging the community to help locate the statue.
Berkeley Brean, News10NBC: “What do you think happened?”Fr. Bill Coffas, Pastor, Holy Cross Church: “We believe somebody picked up the statue and took it. And we’re not sure exactly when. It was first reported as missing on Sunday.”
Brean: “Maybe there’s someone watching tonight who knows what happened, knows the person. What would you say to them?”Fr. Bill Coffas: “Well if you see it in the community or you see it in your house, maybe someone brought it home, my specific message, and I shared this online is bring it back. No questions asked. No charges will be pressed. We just want the statue back.”
The grotto, built 79 years ago by four brothers from Charlotte, Joe, George, Pete and Bill Hoysic, who prayed the Hail Mary to survive World War II, was rededicated by Holy Cross last summer as a place of prayer and peace. Despite the theft, the church is extending an offer to hear the thief’s confession and promises not to press charges if the statue is returned.
Father Coffas mentioned that the church’s cameras did not capture the theft, and they are unsure of the exact day it happened, only knowing it occurred sometime last week. Since posting about the incident on Facebook, Father Coffas has received numerous offers from people willing to buy a new statue.
Rochester police search for stolen Mary statue, Holy Cross Church offers no charges if returned WHEC.com.
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