The Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) said in a statement yesterday that it has removed the Nossa Senhora (“Our Lady”) group of statues situated on the Rotunda de Seac Pai Van in Coloane for repairs as they have been cumulatively damaged by typhoons over the years.
According to the statement, the bureau had always planned to carry out the restoration work, and had been maintaining close communication with Macau’s Catholic diocese on a restoration plan, and that both parties decided that an experienced and skilled contractor should carry out the restoration work.
Local observers pointed out that netizens on social media had been circulating photos of the current Rotunda de Seac Pai Van with the group of statues “gone missing”, which has sparked heated discussions, with some comments criticising the government for allegedly not respecting religion.
The statement said the bureau will repair and beautify the Rotunda de Seac Pai Van and then reinstall the restored statues in their original locations, based on advice by the Catholic diocese.
This undated handout photo provided by IAM yesterday shows the “Our Lady” originally situated on Rotunda de Seac Pai Van in Colaone, being repaired by a contractor.
