A man used construction equipment to drop a heavy boom lift onto a sculpture that had stood for 25 years outside St. Louis’ Cathedral Basilica, severely damaging it, according to police. The future of the Angel of Harmony, a 14-foot tall sculpture depicting a Black angel protecting three children of various races, remains uncertain.
Reports indicate that part of one of the children was broken off and the angel’s wings showed visible damage. Authorities have yet to determine the motive for the vandalism, which took place Tuesday night. A 35-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with the incident.
The Angel of Harmony was created by Polish sculptor Wiktor Szostalo and installed in 1999, shortly after Pope John Paul II’s visit to St. Louis. The sculpture features more than 100 wind chimes on its wings, and the children are depicted playing instruments.
The pedestal bears inscriptions from the New Testament, Pope John Paul II, and Martin Luther King Jr. “The Angel of Harmony has graced the grounds of our city’s Cathedral Basilica since 1999, as a joyful reminder that our diversity is something to be celebrated, that truth, beauty and goodness unite us all,” stated St. Louis Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski.
“We need to be reminded of that daily. We are still learning about the extent of the damage, with great hope that this special sculpture can be restored.” Police responded to the incident at the ornate Catholic cathedral in St.
Louis’ Central West End neighborhood after receiving a call about a man tampering with construction equipment. Upon arrival, they found the statue knocked off its pedestal. The suspect also allegedly fired a gunshot into an unoccupied car, although the reason for this is unclear.
Surveillance footage aided officers in identifying the suspect. They located him, but he attempted to flee. A police dog eventually discovered him hiding a few blocks from the cathedral.
On Wednesday, the man was charged with institutional vandalism, two counts of property damage, tampering, unlawful use of a weapon, and resisting arrest..
