The Lady in the white robe, the faithful keep coming: this is how they clean the desecrated statue in Medjugorje

Net.hrIndependentCenter3 hr. ago

Members of the Cenacolo community have begun cleaning and restoring defaced religious statues on Mount Ukazanje in Međugorje, which were painted black and marked with offensive slogans. Despite pilgrims still visiting one of the most renowned Catholic pilgrimage sites, the area around the defiled Virgin Mary statue is fenced off and covered with a white cloth. The Cenacolo community, connected to the parish and pilgrims, previously helped organize the space around the statue and assisted those unable to climb the mountain. The incident has shocked both Međugorje and the local religious community, as an unknown perpetrator defaced the Virgin Mary statue on Podbrda and set fire to the external altar of the church dedicated to St. Jacob. Pilgrims claim they have seen the Virgin since 1981, but her face and hands were blackened, and a message accusing pilgrims of lying was scrawled on the base. Another vandalized symbol, the Blue Cross, was also defaced with the word 'ZLO,' while another Virgin Mary statue nearby was similarly defiled. Police are investigating the incident and gathering all relevant information.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of vandalism at a religious site without overt ideological slant. It reports on the actions of the community, police investigation, and the impact on pilgrims, maintaining neutrality in tone and framing. There is no clear leaning toward any political ideology,儘

HRT (Hrvatska radiotelevizija)State / PublicCenter3 hr. ago

In Međugorje, a sacred pilgrimage site known for its alleged apparition of the Virgin Mary, a vandal damaged the statue of the Virgin Mary on Podbrdo and set fire to the external altar of the Church of St. James. The incident occurred around early morning, with reports of damage to the statue and subsequent fire at the altar. Authorities confirmed the initial report of damage to the statue at 4:30 AM and the fire at the altar by 5:00 AM. The police have begun their investigation and are searching for the perpetrator. The local parish has expressed deep sorrow over the vandalism, emphasizing the importance of prayer, fasting, and penance, while calling for repentance from those responsible. Pilgrims have condemned the act, with some attributing it to illness or demonic influence, while others view it as an attack on faith. Premier Andrej Plenković has also condemned the vandalism.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of a religious vandalism incident without overt ideological slant. While the event involves religious sentiment and public figures like the premier, the tone remains neutral, focusing on the actions of authorities and community responses rather than promoting a

N1 HrvatskaIndependentCenter4 hr. ago

An article reports on vandalism at several pilgrimage sites in Međugorje, including the Gospa's statue on Mount Ukani, which was covered with a white cloth to hide graffiti and offensive messages. The incident occurred overnight, and local believers gathered early the next day to pray and show solidarity. Social media platforms were flooded with messages of support, peace, and calls for prayer. Police are investigating the incidents to determine the circumstances and identify those responsible. Reports suggest that the statues of the Virgin Mary on Mount Ukani and at the Blue Cross, along with the external altar near St. James' Church, were damaged, while a fire at the recently renovated altar was quickly extinguished. Some claims circulating online allege that a Polish citizen has been detained over these acts, but this has not yet been confirmed by police.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of vandalism at religious sites without overtly criticizing or praising any political group. It focuses on the event itself, the community's response, and the ongoing police investigation, maintaining a balanced tone. There is no clear ideological slant in the措

Jutarnji listIndependentCenter6 hr. ago

An unknown perpetrator defiled the statue of the Virgin Mary at Podbrdo and set fire to the external altar of the Church of St. James in Medjugorje, a world-renowned Catholic pilgrimage site. The incident occurred early in the morning, with witnesses claiming that the Virgin has appeared there since 1981. The statue's face and hands were painted black, and a message reading 'The Devil in a skirt' was written on the pedestal, along with claims that the apparitions were false. A video posted on social media showed someone approaching the altar with a fuel container, dousing it with flammable liquid, and setting it on fire. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Herzegovina-Neretva County reported receiving the first alert at 4:30 AM regarding damage to the Virgin's statue and another report at 5:00 AM about the fire on the altar. The fire was quickly extinguished.

Bias read (Center): The article reports on a defacement and arson attack at a significant religious site in Croatia, which has strong cultural and spiritual implications. However, the reporting remains factual, presenting both the event and the police response without overtly favoring any particular perspective or omit