Virgin Mary statue pulled down, beheaded

GERMANTOWN, Tenn., June 19 (UPI) -- Police in Germantown, Tenn., say they are on the lookout for whoever knocked over a Virgin Mary statue and broke off its head.

The Rev. Edwin Creary of Our Lady of Perpetual Help said he discovered the headless statue of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus on the ground when he got to the church Friday.

"I'm saddened that someone would come and, whether they share our belief or not, that they would come on our property and just destroy something. It is a work of art, and a work of beauty and devotion," Creary said.

The statue's dedication took place at the church in 1953, WMC-TV, Memphis, reported.

Insurance investigators said they believe the statue was pulled down by a rope tied to a car early Friday.

It required eight church members to put back a smaller statue that was also knocked down on church grounds, WMC said.