The authors do not seem to fill the classic profile of anti-Catholic vandals who continually attack religious works in the French nation

Paris, (August 22, 2020 (Gaudium Press) — In France, a statue of Saint Marie-Madeleine has been destroyed. But on this occasion, the authors do not seem to fill the classic profile of anti-Catholic vandals continually attacking religious works in Gallic lands.

The statue,  a plaster cast of the Holy Sister of Lazarus, was located the Saint-Pilon chapel, in the heart of the Sainte-Baume massif, in southern France. The chapel is run by Dominicans.

The attackers left a message stating they cannot accept that “a great saint like Saint Mary Magdalene was represented in this way”. The reason? The statue represented the saint naked and her hair covered her nakedness.

Mgr. Dominique Rey, Bishop of Fréjus-Toulon

Interviewed by Famille Chrétienne, Mgr Dominique Rey, bishop of Fréjus-Toulon, clarifies that it was not the diocese who ordered the statue, but the Dominicans. The artist selected for it -he added- was chosen by the municipality or the community of municipalities. The plaster statue was temporary pending the final version.

Bishop Rey explains that the artist’s intention was “to signify both a sinful and a forgiven Mary Magdalene”. “A statue may not please, but to destroy it …” said the prelate.

He says he has never received a complaint about the image, has no idea who may have destroyed it, and the diocese has yet to decide about filing a complaint.

“I invite you to dialogue,” concludes Bishop Rey, pointing on the direction of those who destroyed the statue. So far, no perpetrators have stepped forward.