Polish Vandal Inscribes Isaiah 42 on Međugorje Statue

Bartłomiej Krakowiak, a 31‑year‑old Polish man, was identified as the perpetrator of a vandalism incident at the Our Lady statue in Međugorje, Croatia. He left a graffiti inscription that initially appeared as the mysterious number “1242,” but closer examination showed it to be the biblical reference “Iz 42,” pointing to chapter 42 of the Book of Isaiah. The passage condemns idol worship, suggesting the act was meant as a religious protest.

Krakowiak’s background includes a 2017 pilgrimage from Warsaw to Međugorje, during which he walked over 1 300 km to address personal depression. He later lectured on spiritual transformation and authored a book about his journey. The recent vandalism, which also involved painting the statue black, is being investigated as a hate‑crime motivated by his interpretation of the biblical text.