Crucifix ‘vandalism’ at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church linked to Pope visit
Sadness at arms attack ‘desecration’ outside church
Published: 30 September, 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM
A CHURCH crucifix had its arms ripped off in a suspected vandalism attack outside a Highgate church.
Priests from St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Highgate Hill only discovered the “desecration” when a resident spotted it whilst walking his dog this week.
A nail has also been yanked from the foot of the cross.
William Beasy, a retired shop owner from Junction Road, said: “They didn’t know anything about it when I told them. I took a picture of it a few months back for a photography competition and it was intact.
“Maybe it has something to do with the Pope’s visit or maybe it was a prank – I’m not sure.
“There is a nail missing as well, and it all looks quite deliberate otherwise they would have knocked everything off.”
Details of when the crucifix was first erected are unclear but the engraving at its foot reveals it is also a memorial to commemorate soldiers who died in the First World War.
It says: “To honour the thousands of men from this parish who gave their lives for their king and country 1914-1918.”
Police said they had not been alerted to the damage, and will only investigate if it is reported.
John O’Rourke, who designed a sculpture of the Italian theologian Dominic Barberi which stands inside the church, said: “It is very upsetting. I wouldn’t be surprised if it had something to do with the Pope’s visit. I just hope they get to the bottom of it and fix it as it was before.”
A church warden, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “We know about it. It’s very sad that someone would do this. It’s not the first time it has happened. I suspect we will have to raise the money but nothing has been decided yet.”