Mangalore: A man, identified as Shibu of Jalligudde, went in to St. Alphonsa Catholic Church located at  Kankanady and destroyed the statues and other properties of the church on Nov 3 Thursday at around 8:30 p.m.

Apart from damaging the properties of church, he has also tried to change into the priest’s garments before hostel students stopped him.

The Kadri police rushed to the spot and arrested the man. Later Mangalore Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh rushed to the spot and asked people to vacate the place. The police have taken man’s clothes and footwear for further investigation. DCP Muthuraya was also present.

The incident attracted a large crowd to the church and Fr. Shibi, the assistant parish priest of St. Alphonsa Church will soon lodge a complaint to the police and other authorities.

According to sources, Shibu who is said to be a conductor of a Route No. 15 bus is suffering from temporary psychological disorder, which led him to destroy the church properties.

Ronald Colaco, the president of the International Federation of Karnataka Christian Association (IFKCA); Denis D’Silva, its convener; and Naveen D’Souza, its corporator, have condemned the act.