BC’s premier-elect calls theft of Jesus statue from Surrey school ‘disgraceful’

In a post on social media, BC Premier-designate Lorne Doerksen says the theft of the bronze statue of Jesus Christ from Saint John Paul II Academy in Surrey is a disgraceful act against a community of faith and a school.

“Our places of faith and learning must be safe and respected in British Columbia.  An act like this wounds an entire Christian community, and it has no place in our province.  Enough vandalism, enough tearing down statues, enough hateful attacks on our communities of faith,” writes Doerksen in the post on X.

He goes on to address the students, families and staff at the school.  “We stand with you.  I urge anyone with information to contact Surrey Police so those who did this can be held responsible for this crime.”

The Academy has posted several videos of the theft on its Facebook page.   The life-sized bronze statue of Jesus was stolen in the early morning hours on Remembrance Day.

In a video on the page, Joseph King, the chair of the Saint John Paul II Academy Society, says the new high school just opened last year and the statue, seated at a table in the courtyard, was a piece of art and a focal point for the school.

He says the installation was by Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz, donated to the school and entitled “The Last Supper.”

Screenshot from security camera video at Saint John Paul II Academy in Surrey showing white van suspected in theft of bronze statue of Jesus Christ. (Image Credit: Saint John Paul II Academy)

“Someone came with a saw and cut the statue, removing it from the premises, disfiguring this beautiful work of art, cutting it away for whatever reason, I have no idea but it’s a sad thing to have had happen,” says King.

Surrey police are investigating.