After a judge halted the installation of two 10-foot, bronze patron saint statues outside Quincy’s new public safety building, the mayor has gained an ally to move the statues somewhere else, but with a catch.
The animal rights nonprofit PETA’s faith outreach division LAMBS is offering to help cover the costs of the statues, with one request, Faith Outreach Coordinator Sarah McFarlane wrote to Mayor Thomas Koch last week. PETA wants the City of Quincy to add a third statue of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.
“Adding a statue of St. Francis would send a message of kindness toward all living, feeling beings and speak to the universal virtues of compassion and stewardship,” McFarlane wrote. It would honor not only the animals of Quincy but also the people who rescue, shelter, and care for them every day.
Earlier this year, the Patriot Ledger revealed Koch’s plans to add $850,000 statues of St. Michael the Archangel and St. Florian, the patron saints of police and firefighters, respectively. Since then, the plans have come under fire for their religious nature and the lack of transparency.
The ACLU called on Quincy officials to “cancel” the plans in February and filed a lawsuit on behalf of 15 residents.
A judge granted a preliminary injunction to stop the installation of the statues in October and declined the city’s motion to dismiss the case. The city hired conservative nonprofit law firm Becket Fund to file an appeal, according to the Ledger.
“The religious significance of the statues depicting two Catholic patron saints is essentially undisputed,” Norfolk Superior Court Justice William Sullivan wrote in his decision. “The Court does not conceive that the ability, commitment, and enthusiasm of the members of the Quincy Police and Fire Departments to serve the communities will be appreciably undermined if the two statues are absent for the duration of this litigation.”
The St. Michael’s statue shows the archangel atop a demon, while the St. Florian statue pours water on a burning building. The statues were to adorn the facade of the building facing Sea Street.
PETA recommended that the statues be moved “to another meaningful public space — perhaps near City Hall,” the letter to Koch said.
“We would be honored to work with your office to help design and install the statue so that the final display reflects the values of the Quincy community and stands as a symbol of compassion and moral unity—one that transcends religion and reminds everyone, regardless of faith, of our shared responsibility to treat all living beings with kindness and respect,” McFarlane wrote.
Koch’s Chief of Staff Chris Walker did not return a request for comment about PETA’s letter. Previously, the mayor has defended the statues, and when asked if the City Council knew about the $850,000 statutes during a radio interview, he said “plans evolve.”
Shortly after the plans for the statues were revealed to the public, Walker spoke at a public meeting, saying the patron saint statues “transcend any religious connotation.” He added that Koch “in his authority makes decisions. He’s made this decision.”
