A small statue of the Virgin Mary was vandalized in the center of Biguglia, a village in Corsica, leaving the local community shocked and saddened. The incident was discovered on Tuesday, October 14, by Lucien Bizzari, a young firefighter from the commune, who had developed a personal ritual of kissing the religious statue whenever he passed by on his way to visit his grandparents.

The plaster statue, which stands only a few centimeters tall, was found decapitated in its small niche in the heart of the village. The niche housing the statue had been constructed several years ago by Jeannot Ferrandi as a place of devotion. News of the vandalism spread quickly throughout the village community, deeply moving residents from the oldest to the youngest members.

This act of desecration is particularly troubling as it represents a recurring problem for this particular statue. The small religious figure had been damaged in similar incidents in the past, making this latest vandalism part of a disturbing pattern. The timing of the incident is especially condemnable, occurring at a moment when Corsica needs unity and peace more than ever.

The vandalism comes as the island is still reeling from controversy surrounding the Quasquara cross incident and remains under shock from a recent decision by the administrative court in Bastia. These religious symbols scattered throughout Corsican cities and villages serve as traces of the island's rich religious past, from times when faith played a more vibrant role in the daily lives of Corsican people, alongside numerous ex-voto offerings.

In response to the vandalism, the owners of the house where the niche containing the statue is located plan to file a formal complaint with authorities. Additionally, community members are organizing a gathering to show solidarity and condemn the act of desecration, scheduled for Thursday, October 16, at 8:30 AM at the site where the vandalism occurred. The incident has highlighted the ongoing tension between preserving Corsica's religious heritage and contemporary challenges facing the island's communities.