Vandals behead a controversial sculpture of Mary giving birth to Jesus in an Austrian cathedral

Controversial statue of Mary giving birth beheaded inside Austrian cathedral

St. Mary's Cathedral in Linz made headlines around the world as a controversial sculpture of Mary displayed inside the church was beheaded July 1 by unknown vandals. The sculpture, depicting the Virgin Mary giving birth to Jesus designed by Austrian artist Esther Strauss, was scheduled to be exhibited in the cathedral for three weeks. The work has drawn criticism from some Catholics who said it was blasphemous.

A sculpture showed Mary giving birth to Jesus. A vandal beheaded it.

The sculpture was destroyed just days after it went on view at a cathedral in Austria and drew criticism from some Catholics, who condemned it as sacrilegious.

Vandals behead a controversial sculpture of Mary giving birth to Jesus in an Austrian cathedral

Vandals have beheaded a controversial sculpture featuring the Virgin Mary giving birth to Jesus that had been exhibited in the cathedral in the Austrian city of Linz.