Police in Jersey City are searching for a suspect who vandalized a statue in front of a church.

The statue of Mary outside of Saint Michael Roman Catholic Church was found covered in dog feces Friday, according to the pastor of the church.

He says he cleaned the statue himself and he would forgive the person who did it.

"This was obviously the work of someone who was troubled in some way," he says. "And if that person were ever caught or if that person ever came forward, I would tell them I would not press charges, I would forgive them and if they want to just sit down and talk."

Police say they don't believe it was a hate crime.