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Vandalized
again
By TOM KANE
NARROWSBURG
- For the second time in as many months, three statues on the lawn
of St. Francis Xavier's Church in Narrowsburg were desecrated.
Reverend Tom
Jones of the Franciscan Order that administers to the parish discovered
the vandalism early last Wednesday morning.
"It's strange
that it happened on the day I was supposed to be away," Jones said.
The priest has Wednesdays off from parish duties. He stayed at home
this time.
The statue
of St. Francis, pictured here, was costumed like a bandit, with
a two-gun holster, a red bandana used as a mask, one gun glued to
the statue's hand and a straw hat.
Some of the
paint from the statue came off when the materials were removed.
The other statue
of the Sacred Heart in front of the rectory was dressed like an
American Indian, with a wig, a bright traditional feather headdress,
a bow and arrow in one hand and a knife in the other.
The statue
of the Virgin had a mustache glued to the lip.
"This is scary
stuff," Jones said. "The worst part is that instruments of violence
were used."
"I've
lived in this parish for 45 years," said Josephine Gerrity, "and
I've seen nothing like this."
Jones said
he was saddened on the last occurrence when a teacher from the Narrowburg
school, Steve Layman, wrote a letter to The River Reporter making
light of the incident.
"What kind
of a message does that send to young people?" he asked.
Jones said
there is no history of anti-Catholicism in the area.
"I have an
excellent rapport with the members of the local Protestant clergy
since we hold four ecumenical meetings every year with all the churches."
Jones said.
He has no idea
who the culprits are, but said, I don't think kids did this. Kids
are sloppy. This was carefully done, like an adult would do."
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