In a shocking incident captured on camera, a taxi driver has been accused of decapitating a baby Jesus statue outside the Holy Family Roman Catholic Church in Flushing, New York City. The incident, which is being investigated as a hate crime, occurred around 5:30 a.m. on Sunday.
According to the police and footage released by the Diocese of Brooklyn, the suspect, driving an SUV taxi, calmly approached the front of the church. He then crossed the street, removed his shoe, and proceeded to attack the white marble statues of Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. The footage shows the taxi driver striking the heads of Mary and Joseph with his shoe before turning his attention to the baby Jesus statue. He relentlessly hacked at its head until it was sent spinning to the ground. After the act, the suspect walked away calmly, still holding his shoe-weapon.
Father Sean Suckiel, the pastor of the parish, expressed his deep concern over the incident, stating, “This is a very unsettling incident, and those who attended Mass yesterday were shocked and horrified to find out this happened.” He further emphasized the significance of the Holy Family statue to the faith community, as it had stood outside the church for 42 years. The estimated cost to repair the damage caused to the statue is $20,000.
While it remains unclear whether the suspect intended to insult religious sentiments by using his shoe, it is worth noting that hitting someone with the underside of a shoe is considered a grave insult in the Middle East. The motive behind the act is yet to be determined.
Father Suckiel called for increased religious tolerance throughout the city, urging the community to come together in prayer.
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This incident is truly disturbing and disheartening. It is unfortunate to see such acts of vandalism and disrespect towards religious symbols. Regardless of one's personal beliefs, it is important to respect the religious symbols and places of worship of others. Such incidents only serve to create division and hurt within communities. It is crucial for individuals to find peaceful ways to express their grievances or disagreements rather than resorting to destructive actions.