There are two suspects in the case of the vandalized statue of the Virgin Mary giving birth in Linz Cathedral. A DNA comparison should provide clarity, but the results are still pending, the police confirm.
It was an act of vandalism without parallel: a statue of Mary made of lime wood by the Tyrolean artist Esther Strauss was decapitated shortly after its installation in the Mariendom in Linz. Apparently the scene – Mary at the moment of the birth of the baby Jesus – was provocative.
According to reports, there are now suspects. They are a 73-year-old from Linz and a 31-year-old from Vienna. In addition to serious material damage, there is also an investigation into approving an action on Telegram that could be punished.
Prison sentence in sight
It is still unclear which of the two men lent a hand and sawed off the head of the statue. The vandal risks a prison sentence of at least two years.
The sculpture, titled “Crowning,” was polarizing from the start. It is part of the “DonnaStage” project, which, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the dedication of St. Mary’s Cathedral, addresses questions about women’s roles, family images, and gender equality through art installations, workshops, and discussions. Now, the figure will no longer be on display at St. Mary’s Cathedral.
Source: Krone
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