Police have stepped in to answer the prayers of a Long Island community. This is after a woman was found and subsequently arrested for the alleged decapitation of a Jesus statue by the Suffolk County Police's Hate Crimes unit.
As reported by the New York Post, 41-year-old Deyonna Subert was named as the alleged perpetrator. Authorities have explained they believe Subert, who is from Bay Shore, may have been experiencing a mental illness episode.
The shocking decapitation of the statue at the St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church prompted action from cops. Lou Civello, the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association President, explained after the arrest, "When you look at what's going on around the country - the attack on the mosque, the antisemitism, this anti-Christian hate - you might lose your faith in humanity."
Civello himself alongside the GOOD Foundation both pledged to support the church and its community. They donated $1,000 each to the church in order to facilitate the replacement of the statue.
As Civello handed the checks over to Anthony Iaconis, the pastor of the church, he made a pretty heartwarming statement. "As police officers, we're tasked with catching the criminals. It's not often that we get to undo the harm that they have done."
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The Church Pastor Has Forgave the Suspect
But, depsite all the pain that was caused from the terrible act Subert did, Iocanis and his fellow congregants have offered their forgiveness to her.
"It's evil. But Christ calls on us to forgive. And that is how peace comes about," Iaconis explained.
Marleni Danesi, who is a regular congregant at St. Mary's, and has been for decades, supported this sentiment. She described the attack as "sad, but not surprising." She added, "You combat hate with love. God cares for all sinners."
NBC 4 New York also reported that another parishoner expressed his regrets at the situation. "It's terrible, just terrible, that somebody would desecrate a statue of Jesus."
And, in response to the cops' money, he added, "It means a lot, it's part of our sacred space. And to see the head lopped off, it's just awful!"
