By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-10-02 18:20:50 | Updated at 2026-10-02 19:10:40
1 hour ago
A vicar has been left "appalled" after a statue of the Virgin Mary was allegedly assaulted and then damaged in France.
Speaking to GB News, New Malden Vicar Stephen Kuhrt told host Martin Daubney he is "shocked and dismayed" at the "terrible act of vandalism".
A social media account, allegedly belonging to one of the men, posted an apology on Thursday and claimed he was "completely out of it" at the time.
He added: "I know it's disrespectful even though I'm not religious. I'm totally sorry to the people I offended."
Reacting to the incident, Mr Kuhrt told GB News: "It is an appalling attack on a very, very important symbol for Roman Catholics.
"I'm a Church of England Christian, but Catholic to my brothers and sisters, and I'm very, very shocked and dismayed that this terrible act of vandalism took place."
Vicar Stephen Kuhrt has told GB News he is 'appalled' after alleged sex acts were performed on a Virgin Mary statue
X / LECHOCHRETIEN / GB NEWS
Mr Kuhrt argued that such an incident does indicate that some perceive the Christian faith as more "fair game" than others.
He said: "As to what it indicates more broadly, I think the very level of shock about this, I think a lot of people are horrified about this and I think that tells tells the story.
"There has been a strong reaction, but I think nonetheless it does indicate that Christianity is sometimes seen as a bit more fair game, perhaps a bit more identified with the establishment.
"So those who are sort of wanting to be subversive, wanting to act in protest, are probably likely to identify Christianity, as I say, being fair game."
The statue, located under an archway in Porto-Vecchio, was discovered damaged and ripped out of its place on Thursday
FACEBOOK/JEAN-CHRISTOPHE ANGELINI
As the vicar told GB News host Martin Daubney that he is "glad" one of the perpetrators has "fully apologised", Martin expressed his outrage at the act.
He responded: "Stephen, I admire your your forgiveness, I admire your charitable status on this, I do, but I don't share it. Because there has been a significant increase of vandalism, arson, attacks on churches, particularly on the continent, and there's no coincidence to me about what's going on with mass immigration.
"We had a story yesterday where in North Yorkshire people were being taught that the Virgin Mary wore a hijab and Jesus had a beard. Now, of course, that's absurd, Islam wasn't even invented for six centuries after that moment.
"But something's going on where these acts are now becoming more permissible, they're becoming more desirable, and Christians are kind of retreating and being polite. But perhaps, actually, we need a bit more righteous fury?"
Mr Kuhrt told GB News that it was an 'appalling act of vandalism'
GB NEWS
Mr Kuhrt told GB News: "I don't want to be misunderstood of saying this was anything other than totally and utterly appalling, I condemn it out of hand.
"I suppose all I'm trying to say, it is a little bit of caution about us putting too many things together, so I think this was an example of sort of appallingly rubbish behaviour rather than necessarily a religiously motivated attack.
"Now, religiously motivated attacks do take place on Christians and they are to be taken really seriously.
"But I think the only reason for the note of caution that I have is at the heart of Christianity is responding to evil."
