Green fuel on tap (From Stroud News and Journal)

Green fuel on tap

VANDALS ran amok at Prinknash Abbey on Sunday, smashing a statue of the Virgin Mary and daubing anti-Catholic graffiti on the walls of the main chapel.

The tranquility of the Cranham community, an important Catholic centre and home to an order of Benedictine monks, was shattered after the damage was discovered at around 2pm on Sunday afternoon.

Monks from the Abbey said they were saddened at the attack at the religious haven which attracts 100,000 visitors every year.

Just an hour after the damage was discovered the chapel was filled with 200 worshippers for a service.

Father Damian from the order found the 3.5 ft wooden statue of the Virgin Mary broken in several places.

There was damage to the crown and one of the arms and it had been pushed over with along with its marble pedestal.

Several notices around the chapel were covered with bible quotations and anti-Catholic slogans such as 'Mary is hell' and 'No queen in heaven'.

But Father Damian said yesterday: "We do not feel any animosity to whoever did this.

"We were all very shocked but I think we all feel very sad for somebody that does something like this."

The chapel is usually open from 4.30am until 9pm and Father Damian said there were no plans to keep the doors looked after the vandalism.

He added that the monks have removed the statue and will now do their best to repair it.

Monks have been at Prinknash since 1924 after wealthy landowner Thomas Dyer Edwards gifted the land to the community.

A police spokesman said yesterday that an investigation had been launched into the incident but so far no arrests had been made.

Anyone who has any information on this crime can call Gloucestershire police on 0845 090 1234 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

* Last month Rev Canon Barry Coker threatened to end the open door policy at St Laurence Church, Stroud after arsonists caused thousands of pounds worth of damage. A 20-year-old Stroud man was arrested at the time.