Vandalized statue in Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët leaves Christ’s hand pointing to heaven, a sign of enduring faith amid rising attacks on French churches.
Newsroom (20/10/2025, Gaudium Press ) On Sunday, October 19, the parish church of Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët in the Manche department was struck by an act of vandalism that left its community reeling. The statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a cherished symbol of devotion, was found shattered into countless fragments, its remnants scattered across the sanctuary floor. Yet, amid the debris, one detail stood out: the statue’s hand, miraculously intact, continued to point heavenward, a poignant symbol of resilience in the face of desecration.
Father Benoît Lemieux and parishioners were left grappling with shock and sorrow. “We don’t understand, we don’t understand anymore,” one parishioner told La Manche, the local newspaper that first reported the incident. The image of Christ’s hand, its index finger directed toward the sky, has struck a deep chord, interpreted by many as a sign of divine endurance. “Even in destruction, the Lord invites us to look to Heaven,” Father Lemieux reflected.
This act of sacrilege is the latest in a troubling wave of attacks on churches and religious symbols across France, each one a blow to the nation’s spiritual heritage. Yet, even as these acts seek to erode faith, a countercurrent of devotion is rising. Concurrently, Steven Gunnell’s film Sacré-Cœur is drawing crowds in theaters nationwide, resonating with a public hungry for meaning. The film, which explores the merciful and restorative power of the Sacred Heart, has become more than a cinematic success—it is a cultural and spiritual phenomenon, speaking directly to the pain felt in Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët.
The contrast is striking: a statue shattered by human hands in a small French parish, and a film reigniting faith in theaters across the country. Together, they reflect a deeper truth—a France wrestling with its identity, yet refusing to abandon its spiritual roots. Sacré-Cœur has been hailed as a “claim for hope,” a testament to a generation rediscovering the Catholic faith not as a relic of the past, but as a living source of love and resilience.
The intact hand of the broken statue, pointing heavenward, has become a powerful symbol for the faithful. It speaks of a love that endures, a Heart that heals despite the wounds inflicted upon it. In the face of hatred, the message is clear: the Sacred Heart of Jesus continues to reign over those who seek it, calling for fidelity and courage. For the parishioners of Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët and beyond, this moment is a reminder that even in brokenness, faith stands firm, and France’s spiritual legacy remains unbroken.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Tribune Chretienne
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