By Joe Winter
Catholic Herald correspondent
Statue at Hudson monastery vandalized
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A statue of Jesus Christ, that stood in the front yard of the Carmelite Monastery in Hudson, was vandalized. In the process the base and the statue's right arm were broken. (Catholic Herald photo by Joe Winter) |
HUDSON -- Vandalism of the statue of Jesus Christ in the front yard of the Carmelite Monastery in Hudson has prompted the sisters to review options for its security.
Since Xcel Energy has a light pole a few yards away from the statue, it will likely install a security light that will go on if someone approaches the statue, said the prioress, Sr. Gemma Angelo.
Another company may place a motion sensor near the statue. "It will tell us (inside the monastery) if someone is coming by," Angelo said, adding that donations toward the work would be gratefully accepted.
The statue was hit by a vandal or vandals late at night Wednesday, July 28, or early Thursday morning, July 29. The most severe damage was the broken right arm of the metal statue. Vandals also pushed the statue over, breaking the cement base that holds the statue in place.
"We think it was pulled over with a rope," Angelo said, adding that material to repair the statue may be hard to find because that metal is seldom used these days.
The sisters said they are very disappointed and hurt by the vandalism, adding that they'd hope people would have more consideration for other people's property and respect for religious articles.
The statue, approximately six feet high, was a gift to the monastery by a former Superior diocese bishop, the late George Hammes, in 1967.
The monastery has been in Hudson, at 430 Laurel Avenue, since 1963. The statue also was tipped over about six years ago but was unharmed.
Angelo doesn't necessarily think it was the same people. "We really don't know. The last time, they came back about 2 o'clock in the afternoon and set it up again."
Insurance is expected to cover most of the damage in the recent vandalism incident, but the cash-strapped operation will have to come up with the $500 deductible payment.
A neighbor told the sisters she heard some noise between 1 or 2 a.m. The Hudson police are investigating, but didn't immediately have any solid leads.
Noise at that time of the night is not uncommon as downtown bars close at 2 a.m., the sisters said. The monastery is near a small wooded area that's up a large hill from that bar area, which has several taverns. Laurel Avenue is one of the main routes to get to the other side of the city, which is experiencing rapid residential growth. The statue stands directly behind a large set of bushes that could potentially block the view from the monastery of anyone doing vandalism.
Last winter, Xcel Energy aided the Carmelites when it became difficult for them to pay their heating bill, in part because of rising costs associated with a season-long hike in fuel oil prices.
Editor's note: People wishing to help financially can contact the Carmelite Monastery at 430 Laurel Avenue, Hudson, WI 54016.
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2004