Edmonton police seek suspect after statue of religious figure vandalized on University of Alberta Francophone campus

Edmonton police are turning to the public for help in identifying a suspect who allegedly threw paint on the statue of a Polish-born religious figure at the University of Alberta late last month.

The statue of Frère Antoine Kowalczyk at the Faculté Saint-Jean was vandalized with orange paint in the early hours of Sept. 28.

The Edmonton Police Service alleges a man with a thin build, who appears to be in his mid-to-late 40s, was seen on CCTV throwing paint on the statue around 12:13 a.m. He was seen wearing a yellow hoodie covering his head, a thin black leather jacket, black skinny jeans, grey sneakers, and black gloves.

Police were notified by a University of Alberta peace officer. No other property damage was reported on campus.

Authorities are asking anyone who may have witnessed the person or suspicious activity between 11 p.m. Saturday and 12:30 a.m. Sunday to call the EPS at 780-423-4567 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Catholic missionary

Kowalczyk was a Polish-born Catholic missionary who “devoted half a century of his life to Alberta,” according to the Société historique francophone de l’Alberta (SHFA).

But the Campus Saint-Jean administration acknowledges the act of vandalism is a reminder of the “complex history” of the institution, which was administered by a congregation “that played a central role in the administration of residential schools in Canada.”

“The fact that this incident occurred during the observance of National Day of Truth and Reconciliation highlights the painful contrast between our past and our present commitment to confronting this difficult legacy, particularly in the context of the truth, reconciliation and indigenisation process initiated by the Campus Saint-Jean community,” the administration wrote in a statement.

The SHFA describes Kowalczyk as a “humble, charitable, and respected person.”

“His moral, intercultural, and spiritual legacy remains a source of inspiration for current and future generations,” reads a social media post from the group.

“Covering this statue with orange paint deeply saddens the Francophone and Albertan community at large, as it is a gesture that divides and distracts from the sincere process of reconciliation underway in Canada.”