Police are investigating after a statue of the Virgin Mary outside a Norwood church was vandalized with spray paint.

Police said the vandalism happened some time Friday night outside the Saint Catherine of Siena Church. The statue was covered with black spray paint and then tagged with graffiti at the base.

"It’s destruction of property, it’s sacreligious," said parishioner Cory Hodson.

The statue was scrubbed of the spray paint and some parishioners planted flowers around its base.

Police said the statue is in an area near the church’s elementary school where there are no security cameras. They are asking for anyone with any information to contact them at 781-440-5100.

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