The statue in Medjugorje has been restored, and the perpetrator of the serious acts of vandalism has been arrested

By Junno Arocho Esteves, OSV / Omnes (Updated news story).

In a statement released on July 28, the city’s parish church said it received the news of the vandalism «with great sadness» and that it was working to clean up and repair the damage «so that all areas are properly prepared for prayer once again.».

«We pray for the conversion of the hearts of those who committed this act, that the Lord may touch them with His grace and guide them along the path of goodness,» said the parish.

Graffiti and messages against psychics

According to local media reports, police in the neighboring town of Citluk received a report at 4:30 a.m. on July 28 that several statues of the Virgin Mary—known as «Gospa» or «Our Lady» in Croatian—had been vandalized.

In the photographs published by the Bosnian online news site bljesak.info, the vandal can be seen covering parts of the statue with black spray paint, along with several blasphemous inscriptions directed at the Virgin Mary.

Among the vandal's other graffiti were «Medjugorje is a hoax,» «devil,» and «only Jesus,» spray-painted in various areas.

The police also found a banner with the first names of the six alleged visionaries: Vicka Ivankovic-Mijatovic, Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo, Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti, Ivan Dragicevic, Ivanka Ivankovic-Elez, and Jakov Colic. Below their names was a message written in Polish that read: «To oszusci, mam dowody» («They’re frauds, I have proof»).

Arson at the altar of the Church of San Jaime

About 30 minutes after the police were notified of the act of vandalism, a fire broke out at the altar of St. James Church. A security camera video posted on X showed a man pouring a flammable liquid around the altar and setting it on fire.

The Interreligious Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina stated that the acts of vandalism constituted «a profound insult» to Catholics and «an attack on peace, mutual respect, and the dignity of all people in Bosnia and Herzegovina.».

The parish's response: prayer, forgiveness, and the continuation of worship services

The council also praised the response of St. James Church, stating that its call for pilgrims to respond to evil with prayer and fasting was «a testimony of faith, responsibility, and a genuine commitment to peace.».

«However, forgiveness does not absolve the perpetrator of the crime of responsibility, nor does it relieve the relevant institutions of their obligation to fully investigate this case,» he stated. «We must respond to the desecration of sacred sites with a united condemnation, the protection of every person’s right to freely practice their faith, and an even stronger commitment to a society of peace, mutual respect, and forgiveness.».

A Record-Breaking Restoration

The rapid mobilization of the parish community, the young people of the Cenacle Community, and numerous volunteers made it possible to repair the damage caused by a recent act of vandalism in Medjugorje within a few hours. This joint effort succeeded in removing the black graffiti that had covered the face and hands of the statue of the Queen of Peace, as well as restoring the outdoor altar of St. James Parish, which had been damaged by arson.

Thanks to this effective intervention, the evening prayer service went ahead as usual, sending a clear message of calm and welcome in the face of violence.

Three days before Mladifest

The prompt restoration of the facilities has been essential for the shrine, which is about to host the 37th Mladifest, the International Youth Festival—one of the Catholic Church’s largest youth events, which brings together more than 60,000 people every summer.

By keeping the site clean and continuing its regular activities, Medjugorje reaffirms its spiritual mission without compromising its care for the thousands of pilgrims who gather there during these special days.

A suspect has been arrested

For its part, the police in Bosnia and Herzegovina acted swiftly to investigate the incident, identifying and arresting the alleged perpetrator. The Prosecutor’s Office will take over the case against a 31-year-old Polish citizen accused of damaging or demolishing religious buildings, a crime of vandalism that, under Bosnian law, carries a sentence of between six months and five years in prison.