A statue of the baby Jesus was taken from the throne above the alter and smashed to pieces during the Mass.
A statue of the baby Jesus has been smashed and blood “spilled” in a sickening attack during a Christmas Eve Mass at a Scots church.
Worshippers at St Patrick’s Church in Cowgate, Edinburgh, were left reeling after the act, which saw the statue taken from its place above the altar and destroyed as the congregation marked one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar.
Church officials also confirmed there was violence at the crib in the side aisle, desecration of relics in their Lady Chapel and blood spilled across the sanctuary, the side chapel and the nave. A spokesperson for St Patrick’s Church revealed the scale of the damage and confirmed they also received threats against them at Easter.
In a post on social media, the church said: “We ask prayers for reparation tonight on this Vigil of the Lord’s Nativity, for the attack upon the Child Jesus, taken from the throne above the altar; also for the desecration of relics in the Lady Chapel, violence at the crib in the side aisle, and blood spilled in the sanctuary, side chapel and nave.
“At the Easter Vigil we also had threats made against us; tonight another told us ‘you’re finished here’.
“We will bless the Church again after cleaning up the desecration. Encouraging all souls to turn to our patron, that St Patrick’s prayers will protect this oasis of prayer in the Old Town.”
Images shared following the incident captured the devastation. In the first photograph, the statue of the Child Jesus lies broken, its head and arm torn away after being smashed. A second image shows a priest holding the shattered figure, the body cradled in his left hand and the severed head in his right. In the final picture, the ruined statue can be seen discarded in a bin.
The attack sparked an outpouring of anger online. Michael Whelan wrote: “This is a beautiful church which I visit when in Edinburgh. Very traditional and it is open to pray in. Sadly the devil is at work. There is CCTV in the church. Hopefully the perpetrators are prosecuted.”
Maria McLaughlan said: “Someone is in great need of prayers for a very disturbed soul. I’ll be praying for them tonight.”
Elizabeth Maranatha added: “How horrifying for you all. You put so much work into creating an oasis of peace and holiness at St. Patrick’s Church. Life goes on whatever they do and the Faith.”
Messages of support also came from fellow churches. Stockbridge Church in the capital said: “We are very sorry to learn of this attack. May God forgive the perpetrators. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.”
St Patrick’s Church in the Anderston area of Glasgow, added: “Very sad – you’re in our prayers. I hope you can still find the peace of the Baby Jesus in spite of this awful attack.”
Police Scotland has been approached for comment.
