Apparently, all the bronze statues of the Apostles had recently been taken down from the towers, because of the renovations. When I read this - I thought, uneasily, that it seems like quite a coincidence.
I posted this at 113 before I saw your comment.
The statues themselves were being restored, the green oxidation taken off and the original brown color coming back.
I had the same reaction you did. A Christian in the woodpile.