A popular northern New Mexico Catholic shrine that attracts thousands each year is working to fight persistent vandals.
Officials with El Santuario de Chimayo (CHEE'-mah-YOH') are planning a fundraiser next week aimed at drawing support for a new security system.
In recent month, officials say the shrine has been vandalized by someone throwing wax on a Native American sculpture. An Our Lady of Guadalupe statue also was stolen in April.
World-renowned cellist Michael Fitzpatrick is scheduled to perform outside the Santuario on July 19 as part of a benefit concert.
Chimayo is a National Historic Landmark and some 200,000 people are estimated to visit each year, with the bulk occurring during Holy Week.
The shrine is known to possess Holy sand, which believers say can help cure illness.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.