Vandals defaced two Marian statues and set fire to an altar at Medjugorje shrine, prompting prayers and condemnation before Mladifest.
Newsroom (28/07/2026 Gaudium Press )Two statues of the Virgin Mary were desecrated and an outdoor altar was set ablaze at the Medjugorje shrine in the early hours of Tuesday, July 28, in what church officials and pilgrims have described as a deeply disturbing attack on one of the world’s best-known Catholic pilgrimage destinations.
The incidents occurred just days before the opening of Mladifest, the annual youth festival expected to draw between 50,000 and 60,000 pilgrims to Medjugorje beginning Aug. 1.
Estoy en Medjugorje, y esta noche han vandalizado el altar, y varias imagenes de la Gospa (la Virgen). Todavía hacen falta mas pruebas para ver que este lugar es de Dios? El enemigo no quiere la conversión ni las gracias que aquí suceden. pic.twitter.com/OLs4RX8fhr
— Padre Manuel Navarro 🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮 (@manunavarro84) July 28, 2026
According to local reports, the first acts of vandalism targeted two of the shrine’s most frequently visited prayer sites. A statue of the Virgin Mary on Podbrdo, commonly known as Apparition Hill, was smeared with black paint across the face, chest, and much of the garment. The perpetrators also left an offensive message on the statue’s pedestal, writing the words “Devil in a skirt.”
A banner in Polish naming the six alleged visionaries associated with Medjugorje was reportedly found near the damaged monument.
A second Marian statue located at the Blue Cross, another prominent devotional site for pilgrims, was also defaced with black liquid. Vandals additionally wrote the word “EVIL” on a nearby stone slab, further intensifying concerns among worshippers and local residents.
Reports from pilgrims present in Medjugorje indicated that the attacks took place at approximately 4 a.m., striking locations that serve as focal points for prayer, reflection, and devotion for thousands of visitors each year.
Shortly afterward, authorities received reports of a fire behind St. James Church, the center of parish life at the shrine. A police spokeswoman said officers in Čitluk received the first vandalism report at 4:30 a.m., followed by a report of fire at 5 a.m. at the recently renovated outdoor altar located behind the parish church.
Surveillance footage reportedly captured a man pouring flammable liquid over the altar before setting it on fire. Later on Tuesday, cantonal police confirmed that a suspect had been arrested. Authorities have not released the individual’s identity.
The attacks prompted an immediate response from Medjugorje parish officials, who expressed sorrow over the damage while urging the faithful to react in accordance with the spiritual message long associated with the shrine.
“We received with great sadness the news of the act of vandalism that damaged the places of prayer in our parish,” the parish office said in a statement. Rather than responding with anger, the parish called on believers to answer “as Our Lady has been teaching us in Medjugorje for more than 40 years: with prayer, fasting, and forgiveness.”
Cleanup efforts began immediately after the attacks, according to parish representatives, who emphasized that the shrine remains fully open and continues to welcome pilgrims from around the world.
The desecration has generated widespread concern among members of the Medjugorje spiritual community. For many pilgrims, the targeted locations are not merely landmarks but sacred spaces where they gather to pray, seek spiritual guidance, entrust personal intentions, and pray for peace and reconciliation.
Church leaders also reacted strongly to the incident. Bishop Petar Palić of Mostar-Duvno expressed deep sorrow over the attacks and urged believers not to allow evil to shape their response. The Interreligious Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina likewise condemned the vandalism, signaling broader concern across religious communities in the country.
The incident comes at a significant moment for Medjugorje. In September 2024, the Vatican granted a nihil obstat to devotion associated with the shrine, a move that affirmed the legitimacy of pilgrimages and devotional practices taking place there.
Despite the damage and shock caused by the attacks, the response among the faithful has been marked by calls for prayer, reflection, and forgiveness. Many pilgrims and local believers have expressed hope that authorities will fully clarify the circumstances surrounding the incidents and ensure accountability for those responsible.
As preparations continue for Mladifest, one of the largest annual gatherings at the shrine, church leaders and worshippers remain focused on restoring the damaged sites and preserving the atmosphere of prayer that has long drawn pilgrims from across the globe to Medjugorje.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from EWTN news and Infocatholica
