Jesus statue moved away from highway

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CLIFTON, N.J., Sept. 27 (UPI) -- A New Jersey monastery said a statue of Jesus that some residents feared had been stolen was actually moved to a "safer and more dignified" location.

A monk from the Holy Face Monastery in Clifton said some motorists who regularly travel on eastbound Route 3 had feared the Jesus statue was stolen, but the monastery actually had the statue moved further from the highway, where it can be seen only by westbound motorists, The (Newark, N.J.) Star-Ledger reported Thursday.

The monk, who asked not to be named, said the new location is a "safer and more dignified place" for the statue.

"The finger has been broken (and) the hand has been broken," he said.

The monk said the move was approved by all of the monastery's monks and authorities in Rome.