Statue of St Joseph damaged near Paravoor

PARAVOOR: A statue of St Joseph was found damaged at the St Joseph’s Shrine at Machamthruth, Kunjithai, under the Vadakkekkara police station limits early on Sunday.Some faithful of St Francis Xavier’s Church in Kunjithai, who found that the statue was partially destroyed, informed the matter to the priest-in-charge Fr Melvin Mendez. The matter was immediately conveyed to Kottapuram Bishop’s House. A police team led by CI Binukumar and SI Rajesh swung into action. District Collector P A Sheik Pareeth and V D Satheesan MLA visited the shrine. A police team has been deployed in the area.Meanwhile, Kottapuram Diocese Pastor Council condemned the attack on the statue of St Joseph. The council meeting was presided over by Bishop Joseph Karikkassery. The council urged the government to expedite the investigation and nab the antisocials without any delay. The bishop called upon the faithful to be calm and behave prudently. “No one should be provoked. Everyone should act for communal harmony and peace in society,” Bishop Karikkassery said. Bishop Karikkassery, accompanied by Chancellor Nixon Kattassery, Vicar-general Dominic Pinhere, procurator Fr Jessy Thanappilly and PRO Fr Rockey Roby Kalathil, visited the shrine.