Virgin Mary statue decapitated in west-end Toronto

Toronto police have released an image of a man sought for decapitating a statue of the Virgin Mary outside a church in the city’s west end.

The damage was caused at Our Lady of Lebanon Church in the Parkdale area in the early hours of Aug. 30. A suspect is seen on video surveillance at around 3 a.m. removing the head of the statue outside the Maronite parish on Queen Street West. The statue’s head remains missing.

Fr. Wahid El Khoury, pastor at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Parish, told media “That hurts,” particularly following on the heels of the recent explosion that took the lives of about 200 people and injured thousands of other in Beirut, Lebanon. Many people had been coming to the church to pray for those victims, El Khoury said.

Sgt. Jeff Zammit of 14 Division told media the act was “pathetic” and said police would be canvassing the neighbourhood and seeking video surveillance from neighbours to help find the suspect, who is described as between 5’11”-6’1”, thin build, long, dark swept back hair and clean shaven. Anyone with information is asked to contact 14 Division at (416) 808-1400 or call Crime Stoppers at (416) 222-TIPS.