CARLE PLACE, NY—Last week, someone beheaded a statue of the Virgin Mary outside the Knights of Columbus meeting hall in Bellmore, marking the third incident involving destruction of Christian religious symbols in Bellmore over the last year. On the surface, beheading the statue of a figure sacred to any faith appears to be a childish act. News media reported it as simply “vandalism.” The Penal Law labels vandalism as “criminal mischief.”

But it was a great deal more than that. As Frank Scaturro, himself a member of Knights of Columbus Council #2852 in New Hyde Park, observed regarding this incident:

“The symbolism of this desecration carries with it implied violence. In the 20th century, free societies faced their greatest threat from two ideological movements that captured large swaths of humanity: fascism and communism. In the 21st century, free societies face another grave threat from radical Islam. Radical Islamists do not simply shoot their religious and political enemies, but behead them, as we have seen on a recurring basis in recent years. That adds to our outrage over this act of desecration in our community.

"No population is more threatened today than Christians, especially Catholics, in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Hence, beheading the Virgin Mary is not just an act of petty vandalism. It is a threat. Local political leaders must do more than voice the usual platitudes that desecrating religious symbols is unacceptable. It is likely the perpetrator either meant that threat or hoped to stir up fear and hatred within our community.

"Either way, this act of desecration is disgusting and outrageous. It is an offense not only to those of us who share the faith, but also to all Americans who cherish religious freedom as one of our most precious values. Moreover, it did not occur in a vacuum. It happened but a month after someone painted a swastika on a Jewish home in the Five Towns. If there is a connection between the two crimes—or for that matter between the most recent and the two prior crimes in Bellmore—then it becomes all the more imperative that law enforcement find those responsible. I therefore call on them to make investigation of this matter a priority and prosecute the perpetrators to the full extent of the law.”