A report by the U.S. Bishops collected 95 anti-Catholic attacks between May 2020 and September 2021.
United States (09/15/2021 10:24, Gaudium Press) – In Brooklyn, an image of Our Lady with the Child Jesus was found with signs of vandalism, and the Child decapitated. A crucifix outside a parish was found upside-down along with a burned American flag.
These and other similar facts were compiled in a report prepared by the Religious Liberty Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The document reports 95 acts of vandalism against the Catholic Church in the United States from May 2020 to the present.
Church Vandalism all over the U.S.
The report compiled acts of vandalism such as arson, depredation of images or churches, and graffiti containing hate speech. In all, the attacks took place in 29 U.S. states.
California recorded the depredation of an image of St. Juniper and a fire that destroyed parts of St. Gabriel Church, including ten similar offences.
New York recorded 14 similar aggressions, including anti-Catholic graffiti on Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. The latest incident in the report took place on September 5, where vandals painted two swastikas on the door of a church in Louisville.
The Bishops’ response
“Whether the perpetrators of these acts are troubled individuals crying out for help or agents of hate wanting to intimidate, these attacks are signs of a society in need of healing,” noted Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Maimi.
The moderator of the diocesan curia, Monsignor Anthony Hernandez, also noted that “We are really concerned that there is a standardization of hate crimes against Catholics.” (F.M.)
With information from CNA.
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj
Related Images:
