Ottawa Police are investigating vandalism at St. Patrick's Basilica.
They were called to the church at the corner of Nepean and Kent Streets around 8:30 Sunday night.
The arm of the basilica's Jesus on the Crucifix statue was ripped off.
Witnesses tell CTV Ottawa a woman ran into the church just before 9:00 p.m. mass. She jumped on the communion rail at the front of the basilica and tore off the arm. They say she then started throwing candles.
Parishioners tell CTV they believe the same woman may have been responsible for vandalism in February as well.
Police say no arrests have been made. The investigation is ongoing and police say a motive, including whether this could be considered a hate crime, has yet to be determined.
St. Patrick’s is Ottawa’s oldest English-speaking Roman Catholic parish, having been founded in 1855.
With files from CTV Ottawa’s Catherine Lathem.
CORRECTION NOTE: An earlier version said "it’s not being considered a hate crime investigation at this time." The script has been modified to clarify that police have not yet determined a motive, and could not say whether hate could be considered a motive at this time.