"On 27 May 10, Catholic Online reported on an apparent growing number of cases of vandalism directed against Christian Churches. The most recent attack reported was against the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Maywood, CA, where two men were observed on video surveillance vandalizing the building for approximately an hour and a half.
According to the report, the damage included burning a cross and jamming it inverted into a stove, plunging a knife into the face of a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the scrawling of the satanic number "666" in various places throughout the building and soiling the facility and the sanctuary with condiments and food staples; causing irreparable damage to the velvet curtains of the sanctuary.
The article noted that the attack at St. Rose of Lima is the most recent in what appears to be a rash of similar cases. The article also reported that “a statue of the Virgin Mary was desecrated in Charlotte, NC. The statue was decapitated and her praying hands were shattered in the prayer garden at St. Matthew Catholic Church.” In another case, a 66-year-old statue of the Virgin Mary which stood outside the Weymouth Catholic Church, in Weymouth MA was destroyed. According to the article, “The statue, placed in a grotto beside the church in 1944 by Boy Scouts to honor 16 men killed in World War II, was also decapitated and left in pieces.”
According to a 26 May 10 WXPI.com report, two men vandalized the Jerusalem Church of God in an Indiana Township. The report related that two men allegedly broke into the church and stole all the church money and caused thousands of dollars of damages. The report quoted the Pastor's wife, Wendy Smith who related the extent of damages. As she recounted the damage to the communion table, Smith said, “Breaking it apart is not a good thing in anybody’s definition of acceptable behavior.”
According to a 19 May 10, azcentral.com report, Police discovered an unconscious man inside the Mesa, AZ, Agua Viva Church while investigating a door to the church what had appeared to be forced open. The police also noticed signs of vandalism within the church. According to the report, the alleged perpetrator was found passed out in the church. The suspect apparently told police that he had been in a nearby bar, but did not remember anything until police found and awoke him in the church. The man allegedly also told the police he was on a three-day methamphetamine binge.
According to a Gila River Indian News report, vandals attacked the historic First Presbyterian Church of Sacaton, AZ. The damage included painted gang messages and slogans on the pews, furniture, walls and altars. The report noted, “Unidentified individuals have been reported to use the historical building for illicit gatherings involving alcohol and arson.” The report also related that the church had begun experiencing criminal damage about a year ago, but the acts of vandalism have continued to grow in severity.
According to a 26 Apr 10 Charlotte Observer report, the pastor of St. Matthew Catholic Church used the act of vandalism directed against a concrete statue of the Virgin Mary statue as a “teachable moment.” The report quoted pastor Monsignor John McSweeney, who said, "At each Mass, we're asking people to take a look at the reality of violence in the world today. We're asking them to reflect on their own emotions - of anger, or hurt - and to pray for the individuals or individual who felt the need to do this.”
The article related that the Catholic parish intends to leave the statue in place as a reminder for continued reflection and prayer. The statue of the Virgin Mary and surrounding garden were apparently an Eagle Scout project which was dedicated in 2003. McSweeney said the varieties of roses of the garden were symbolic "of the individuality and uniqueness of each individual," McSweeney also related, "It was done in the memory of all the unborn children of abortion, with no names."
Cited Articles and Posts
Catholic Online (27 May 10)
http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=36711
WPXI.com (26 May 10)
http://www.wpxi.com/news/23681630/detail.html
azcentral.com (19 May 10)
http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/2010/05/19/20100519church-vandalized-abrk0519.html
Gila River Indian News (Not Dated)
http://www.gilariver.org/index.php/news/current-issue-group1/1103-historic-presbyterian-church-vandalized-in-sacaton
Charlotteobserver (26 Apr 10)
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/04/26/1398420/virgin-mary-statue-vandalized.html"