Vandalism - Statue of Mary giving birth beheaded in Linz Cathedral
A controversial statue of Mary during Jesus' birth has been purchased for the Linz Mariendom. Constitutional protectors and criminal investigators have launched investigations, said a police spokesperson to the German Press Agency.
The work of artist Esther Strauß will remain on display in the church as planned until mid-July, but now behind a glass wall and without lighting, said a spokesperson for the Diocese. "One should not see the image of the destroyed sculpture," she told the dpa. No photos have been released due to this reason, she explained.
The small wooden statue was set up just last week. It is part of a project that deals with women's roles, family images, and gender equality one hundred years after the consecration of the Mariendom. On Monday, the figure was beheaded by one or more perpetrators with a saw.
"This violence is for me an expression that there are still people who question the rights of women over their own body. We must resolutely oppose this," said Esther Strauß, who lives in Tyrol and Vienna, in a statement.
"Catholic Resistance" takes responsibility
On the Telegram platform, a supposed confession has surfaced under the name "Catholic Resistance." Criticism of the sculpture was allegedly ignored by the Catholic Church. "Therefore, urgent and decisive action was required!", it says.
"Of course, there are very critical voices towards the project," said the spokesperson for the Diocese. Threats were not entered. A group called Catholic Resistance is unknown to the church administration.
- The act of vandalism against the controversial statue of Mary during Jesus' birth in Linz Mariendom has sparked controversy, with investigations being conducted by Constitutional protectors and criminal investigators.
- The German Press Agency reported that the small wooden statue, which was set up last week as part of a project tackling women's roles, family images, and gender equality, was beheaded by perpetrators using a saw.
- Following the vandalism, the art piece by Esther Strauß, which was intended to be on display until mid-July, has been moved behind a glass wall and without lighting due to safety concerns.
- In response to the vandalism, the Austrian artist Esther Strauß, who supports women's rights, expressed her belief that the incident was an expression of people questioning women's rights over their own bodies and urged for resolute opposition to such acts.
