A local pastor has asked his parish to pray for the vandal responsible for an attack on his church.

According to Monsignor Stephen DiGiovanna of Saint John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, a 5-foot statute of the Virgin Mary was knocked over and broke sometime between Thursday night and Friday morning. The priest believes whoever is responsible for the act must have been a troubled individual in need of help.

"I announced it at Mass yesterday and asked people to pray for the person," he says. "Someone who's disturbed or really angry or hurt or whatever ? there's nothing we can do for him except pray for him at this point."

DiGiovanni says a number of Good Samaritans have stepped forward and offered to help pay to repair the statue. He hopes to have it fixed and standing by next week.