The Boston Police Department is investigating vandalism that occurred at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in the South End, where a statue of the Virgin Mary was defaced with graffiti.

Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn, who represents the South End and posted a photo of the vandalism on X Thursday, said he has been in contact with the police department and has recommended that the incident be investigated as a hate crime.

“The Blessed Mary statue at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross was vandalized last night with graffiti,” Flynn wrote on X. “The incident is similar to other attacks on statues in New York and Florida. I contacted Boston Police and recommended the vandalism be investigated as a hate crime.”

A Boston Police Department spokesperson confirmed that the incident was being investigated, saying late Thursday morning that a police report was in the process of being written up.

A spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Boston said he was “just learning of the vandalism” and would have more to say later.

— Developing