Arson, Vandalism, and Other Destruction at Catholic Churches in the United States
Summary
At least 143 incidents have occurred across 36 states and the District of Columbia since May 2020. Incidents include arson, statues beheaded, limbs cut, smashed, and painted, gravestones defaced with swastikas and anti-Catholic language and American flags next to them burned, and other destruction and vandalism.
Statements, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
U.S. Bishops’ Religious Liberty Committee Chairman Offers Reflection for Religious Freedom Day 2022, January 14, 2022 - https://www.usccb.org/news/2022/us-bishops-religious-liberty-committee-chairman-offers-reflection-religious-freedom-day
U.S. Bishops’ Religious Liberty Committee Chairman Offers Reflection for Religious Freedom Day 2022, January 14, 2022 - https://www.usccb.org/news/2022/us-bishops-religious-liberty-committee-chairman-offers-reflection-religious-freedom-day
One Hundred Incidents of Vandalism Reported at Catholic Sites in U.S. Since May 2020, October 14, 2021 - https://www.usccb.org/news/2021/one-hundred-incidents-vandalism-reported-catholic-sites-us-may-2020
Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami, chairman, Committee on Religious Liberty, and Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman, Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, statement, “Bishop Chairmen Condemn Acts of Vandalism, Destruction at Catholic Sites,” July 22, 2020 - http://usccb.org/news/2020/20-123.cfm
Op-eds
“Violent threats against people of faith are the opposite of human rights," by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Fox News, 24 June 2022 - https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/violent-threats-against-people-faith-are-opposite-human-rights
“We Preach Love! Why Do Some Hate Us?” by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Catholic New York, 2 June 2021 - https://www.cny.org/stories/we-preach-love-why-do-some-hate-us,22401
“The Radicals Who Defaced St. Patrick’s Cathedral Are Pure Bigots,” by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, New York Post, 5 January 2021 - https://nypost.com/2021/01/05/the-radicals-who-defaced-st-patricks-cathedral-are-pure-bigots/
National Overviews
“Bishops Seek Answers in Vandalism of Churches and Catholic Symbols,” by Alejandra Molina
Religion News Service, 8 November 2021 - https://religionnews.com/2021/11/08/bishops-seek-answers-in-vandalism-of-churches-and-catholic-symbols/
“Religious Freedom Week Shines Light on Anti-Catholic Vandalism,” by Nicholas Wolfram Smith
National Catholic Register, 1 July 2021 - https://www.ncregister.com/news/religious-freedom-week-shines-light-on-anti-catholic-vandalism
“Desecration of Catholic Churches Across U.S. Leaves Congregations Shaken,” by Francis X. Rocca
Wall Street Journal, 22 July 2020 - https://www.wsj.com/articles/desecration-of-catholic-churches-across-u-s-leaves-congregations-shaken-11595451973
Advocacy
Letter from Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Archbishop Paul Coakley supporting increased funding to the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, January 14, 2022
Interfaith Letter in Support of Increased Funding to the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, June 1, 2021
USCCB Letter to Congress Requesting Funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, May 7, 2021
Interfaith Letter Supporting Increased Funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, October 5, 2020
Beauty Heals
The vandalism of churches and their sacred art gives us the opportunity to bear witness to our hope in the Lord whose beauty is revealed on the Cross. Beauty Heals invites us to learn about works of devotional art significant to local churches and how they inspire Catholics to live beautifully.
- Videos: www.usccb.org/BeautyHeals
- Podcast Episode: Beauty Heals, with Bishop Robert Barron
Events
2022
June 2022
June 28: Man spray-painted anti-religious messages on building, damaged doors with rocks, and threatened people at the church building (St. Louise Catholic Church, Bellevue, WA) - https://www.q13fox.com/news/man-smashes-bellevue-church-doors-spray-paints-walls-in-broad-daylight
June 25: Two statues of angels stolen, statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary toppled (St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Harlingen, TX) - https://www.valleycentral.com/news/local-news/harlingen-church-vandalized-church-member-steps-up/
June 25: Sign vandalized with pro-abortion messages (All Saints Parish, Portland, OR) - https://catholicsentinel.org/Content/Default/Homepage-Rotator/Article/Sign-vandalized-at-All-Saints/-3/382/45966
June 25: Historic church burned to ground in suspected arson attack (St. Colman Catholic Church, Shady Spring, WV) - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251648/catholic-church-attack-west-virginia-destroyed-arson
June 25: Pro-abortion messages spray-painted on church building; mulch set on fire (St. John Neumann Catholic Community Church, Reston, VA) - https://www.fox5dc.com/news/fire-graffiti-found-at-reston-church-in-response-to-roe-v-wade-ruling-police-say
June 25: Statue memorializing children who died of abortion defaced (Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church, New Orleans, LA) - https://www.fox8live.com/2022/06/25/catholic-statue-vandalized-nola-after-roe-v-wade-decision/
June 23: Religious statues and garden pots smashed (St. Margaret’s Roman Catholic Church, Buffalo, NY) - https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/buffalo-police-investigating-vandalism-at-st-margarets-roman-catholic-church-on-hertel-avenue
May 2022
May 29: Tabernacle stolen, Holy Eucharist thrown on floor, statues of angels on the altar decapitated and destroyed (St. Augustine Catholic Church, Brooklyn, NY)- https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251406/tabernacle-stolen-from-brooklyn-parish-church
May 28: Threats and pro-abortion messages spray-painted on building (South Broward Pregnancy Help Center, Miami, FL) - https://www.miamiarch.org/CatholicDiocese.php?op=Article_archdiocese-of-miami-respect-life-office-vandalized
May 22: Pro-abortion messages spray-painted on church building (St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Olympia, WA) - https://freebeacon.com/latest-news/anarchists-take-credit-for-vandalizing-four-pro-life-churches-in-washington-state/
May 19: Pro-abortion messages spray-painted on front doors of church building (Notre Dame de Lourdes, Swarthmore, PA) - https://www.newsweek.com/pennsylvania-catholic-church-vandalized-pro-choice-graffiti-you-do-not-have-1431107
May 17: Statues of Lúcia dos Santos and Jacinta Marto, two of the children who witnessed the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, smashed and decapitated (Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, New York, NY) - https://abc7ny.com/cardinal-timothy-dolan-our-lady-of-sorrows-vandalism-lower-east-side/11913896/
May 9: Pro-abortion messages painted on front doors (Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Houston, TX) -https://www.fox26houston.com/news/3-catholic-churches-vandalized-apparently-by-activists
May 9: Building vandalized with pro-abortion messages, attempted desecration of Eucharist (St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Katy, TX) - https://www.fox26houston.com/news/3-catholic-churches-vandalized-apparently-by-activists
May 9: Theft of Tabernacle containing Body and Blood of Jesus Christ (St. Bartholomew the Apostle Catholic Church, Katy, TX) - https://www.houstonchronicle.com/neighborhood/katy/article/Sacred-tabernacle-stolen-from-Catholic-church-17160395.php
May 8: Offices set on fire using incendiary devices (Oregon Right to Life, Keizer, OR) - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251189/oregon-right-to-life-office-set-on-fire
May 8: Pro-abortion messages spray-painted on door and sign (Loreto House, Denton, TX) - https://dentonrc.com/news/crime/loreto-house-vandalized-with-spray-paint/article_6cdfea49-d456-53c5-bea6-6ad2f0e44e5a.html
May 7: Pro-abortion messages spray-painted on front doors, glass panels broken (St. John Paul XXIII Catholic Church, Fort Collins, CO) - https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/catholic-church-vandalized-in-fort-collins
May 4: Pro-abortion messages spray-painted on front doors (Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Boulder, CO) - https://denvergazette.com/news/crime/catholic-church-in-boulder-defiled-following-roe-v-wade-draft-opinion-leak/article_3e94a1dc-cbbd-11ec-b747-eb700948e878.html
April 2022
April 8: Thirty windows and front door broken by rocks (Cristo Rey Catholic Church, Austin, TX) -https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/vandals-shatter-windows-damage-doors-at-downtown-austin-church/
April 1: Sanctuary vandalized, crucifix and stained glasss window damaged (St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, North Beach, MD) - https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/maryland/calvert-county-man-charged-with-burglary-after-vandalizing-church-sanctuary/65-617ea348-35fb-4d10-bbb8-dafa436b95a7
March 2022
March 8: Interior and exterior of church vandalized, statue damaged (St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Royal Oak, MI) - https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2022/03/14/royal-oak-church-community-gathers-in-prayer-after-man-damages-building-beloved-statue/
March 1: Statue of the Holy Family defaced with blasphemous words and imagery (Holy Family Catholic Church, Jacksonville, FL) - https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/hail-satan-catholic-church-says-statues-holy-family-defaced/52YTXIAKVNHLZAXRDSRF5X6E2U/
February 2022
February 28: Tombstones at Ukrainian Catholic cemetery defaced (St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church, Baltimore, MD) - https://www.wane.com/news/ukrainian-headstones-vandalized-in-baltimore/
February 23: Statue of the Holy Family stolen from parking lot (St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, San Antonio, TX) - https://aleteia.org/2022/02/23/statue-of-the-holy-family-vanishes-from-parish-parking-lot/
February 17: Two statues of angels knocked down (Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Milledgeville, GA) - https://www.13wmaz.com/article/news/local/vandals-knock-down-angels-milledgeville-church/93-01a23a3e-393e-498f-ab32-d4c17fa7dfd0
February 14: Stained glass windows smashed (St. Therese of the Infant Jesus Catholic Church’s Shrine of the Little Flower, Albuquerque, NM) - https://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/suspect-arrested-for-nw-albuquerque-church-vandalism-early-monday/6393001/
January 2022
January 27: Interior of church vandalized (Greenwood Catholic Church, Greenwood, MS) - https://www.gwcommonwealth.com/top-stories-local-content-crime/downtown-greenwood-church-vandalized#sthash.t7W5zGLB.dpbs
January 26: Statues of Our Lady of Fatima and children who witnessed apparitions decapitated (Church of the Nativity, Burke, VA) - https://www.catholicherald.com/News/Local_News/Marian_grotto_vandalized_at_Nativity_church/
January 14: Tabernacle vandalized, money stolen (St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Fresno, CA) -https://kmph.com/news/local/100-year-old-tabernacle-vandalized-suspect-on-the-loose-in-fresno
2021
December 2021
December 29: Christmas decorations damaged and stolen (Mary Mother of God Catholic Church, Hillsborough, NJ) - https://patch.com/new-jersey/hillsborough/hillsborough-church-repeatedly-vandalized-decorations-stolen
December 23: Christmas decorations damaged and stolen (Mary Mother of God Catholic Church, Hillsborough, NJ) - https://patch.com/new-jersey/hillsborough/hillsborough-church-repeatedly-vandalized-decorations-stolen
December 12: Christmas decorations damaged and stolen (Mary Mother of God Catholic Church, Hillsborough, NJ) - https://patch.com/new-jersey/hillsborough/hillsborough-church-repeatedly-vandalized-decorations-stolen
December 7: Statue of Our Lady of Fatima vandalized (Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC) - https://wjla.com/news/local/our-lady-of-fatima-statue-vandalized-outside-basilica-national-shrine-immaculate-conception-major-catholic-americans
November 2021
November 28: Fire at Catholic Charities, causing destruction of roof and one fifth of the building (Catholic Charities, Knoxville, TN) - https://www.wbir.com/article/news/crime/knoxville-fire-breaks-out-at-catholic-charities-building-knoxville/51-c1f8bbfb-fbfb-4680-851f-a75fb632875c
November 25-29: Windows smashed and statues toppled (St. Peter’s Catholic Church, DeLand, FL) - https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2021/12/03/churches-in-deland-targeted-in-rash-of-vandalism-police-say/
November 9: Graffiti painted on exterior walls (St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, Chicago, IL) - https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/god-sees-everything-vandals-target-100-year-old-ukrainian-village-cathedral/2678843/
November 5: Graffiti spray-painted on exterior of Catholic mission (Mission San Jose, Fremont, CA) - https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/11/08/mission-san-jose-in-fremont-vandalized-with-spray-paint/
November 1: Statue of St. Anthony of Padua decapitated (St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Fargo, ND) - https://www.am1100theflag.com/news/local-news/38356-fargo-church-statue-now-headless-in-apparent-act-of-vandalism
October 2021
October 24: Fire set to parish office (St. Charles Borromeo, Tacoma, WA) - https://nwcatholic.org/news/update-suspect-arrested-for-fire-at-st-charles-borromeo-parish-office
October 22: Swastika painted on a pillar in church parking lot (Annunciation Catholic Church, Washington, DC) - https://cathstan.org/news/us-world/updated-vandalism-reported-outside-local-catholic-church-is-among-many-such-incidents-nationwide
October 21: Hateful messages spray-painted on exterior wall of church (American Martyrs Catholic Church, Manhattan Beach, CA) - https://mynewsla.com/crime/2021/10/21/police-investigate-vandalism-at-manhattan-beach-church/
October 11: Graffiti painted on exterior wall of residence (Arrupe Jesuit Residence, Seattle University, Seattle, WA) - https://seattlespectator.com/2021/11/05/vandal-defaces-arrupe-jesuit-residence/
October 11: Paint splattered over the exterior of the church (Los Angeles, CA, St. Peter Italian Catholic Church) - https://www.foxla.com/news/roman-catholic-church-in-dtla-vandalized-with-grafetti
October 10: Windows broken and exterior vandalized with spray paint (St. Edward Church, Seattle, WA) - https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/three-catholic-churches-vandalized-in-seattle/281-7de1316a-d4e0-49dd-b633-91f593b17f7b
October 10: Hateful messages and other graffiti found spray painted on exterior wall and door (Denver, CO, Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception) - https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/cathedral-basilica-of-the-immaculate-conception-in-downtown-denver-vandalized
September 2021
September 29 and August 29: Statues of Jesus vandalized (Miami Shores, FL, St. Martha Catholic Church) - https://wsvn.com/news/local/2-statues-of-jesus-christ-vandalized-at-miami-shores-church/
September 29: Windows broken and exterior spray painted with pro-abortion messages (Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Boulder, CO) - https://kdvr.com/news/local/boulder-county-church-vandalized/
September 23: Stained glass windows smashed (St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church, Van Nuys, CA) - https://www.kktv.com/2021/09/25/vandal-smashes-stained-glass-windows-armenian-church/
September 5: Graffiti found on church’s door, sign, and garden sign (St. Louis Catholic Church, Louisville, CO) - https://denver.cbslocal.com/2021/09/06/louisville-church-vandalism-police/
September 2: Exterior of church and parish hall vandalized with white paint (St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Jay, ME) - https://www.pressherald.com/2021/09/02/several-businesses-and-a-church-in-jay-and-livermore-falls-vandalized/
August 2021
August 17: Statue of the St. Bernadette knocked down (St. Michael’s Church, Flushing, NY) -https://thecatholicspirit.com/news/nation-and-world/st-bernadette-statue-vandalized-outside-flushing-n-y-catholic-church/
August 9: Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary vandalized (Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Mary, Bronx, NY) - https://thetablet.org/another-statue-vandalized-outside-a-catholic-church-in-nyc/
August 6: Doors vandalized with black paint (St. Benedict Catholic Church, Seattle, WA) - https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/three-catholic-churches-vandalized-in-seattle/281-7de1316a-d4e0-49dd-b633-91f593b17f7b
July 2021
July 17: Woman seen on camera smashing statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Thérèse of Lisieux (Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, Forest Hills, NY) - https://thetablet.org/nypd-video-vandal-destroying-our-lady-mercy-statues/
July 11 or 12, and June 26: Three churches vandalized by fire and graffiti (St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Parish, St. Patrick Catholic Church, St. Andrew Catholic Church, Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Portland, OR) - https://catholicsentinel.org/Content/News/Local/Article/Three-Portland-parishes-vandalized/2/35/43825
July 8: Fire set in bell tower (St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Los Angeles, CA) - https://mynewsla.com/crime/2021/07/08/l-a-catholic-archdiocese-assessing-damage-from-boyle-heights-church-fire-2/
July 7: Statue of Jesus covered in red paint (Basilica of St. Lawrence, Asheville, NC) - https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article252623093.html
July 4: Man seen on camera using red paint to vandalize church buildings and statues (St. Patricks’ Catholic Church, Merced, CA) - https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/crime/merced-catholic-church-vandalized-with-red-handprints-police-say/
July 2: Front doors of church vandalized with red paint (St. James Cathedral, Seattle, WA) -https://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2021/07/they-were-children-seattles-st-james-cathedral-vandalized-in-protest-over-residential-school-graves/
July 1: Statue of Blessed Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus vandalized and stolen (Holy Rosary Church, Jersey City, NJ) - https://www.nj.com/hudson/2021/07/statue-in-front-of-downtown-jersey-city-catholic-church-is-vandalized.html
June 2021
June 30: Graffiti painted on exterior of church (Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Denver, CO) - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/248198/historic-denver-church-vandalized-motive-unclear
June 19: Fire started at front door of church (St. Veronica’s Catholic Church, Philadelphia, PA) -https://www.fox29.com/news/police-seek-accused-vandals-caught-on-camera-setting-fire-at-church-in-north-philly
June 8: Graffiti spray-painted on exterior of church (Immaculate Conception Church, Queens, NY) - https://thetablet.org/graffiti-found-on-queens-church-investigation-ongoing/
June 4: Man caught on camera vandalizing doors and stained glass (St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Port Charlotte, FL) - https://www.mysuncoast.com/2021/06/04/charlotte-deputies-looking-school-vandal/
May 2021
May 27: Audio equipment stolen and multiple fire extinguishers deployed inside the church (Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, Leavenworth, WA) - https://www.kpq.com/ccso-deputies-looking-for-info-on-church-vandal/
May 17: Statue of baby Jesus decapitated (Diocese of Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY) - https://www.brooklynpaper.com/brooklyn-diocese-police-act-of-vandalism/
May 15: Statues of Our Lady of Carmel and the Sacred Heart of Jesus vandalized (Our Lady of Mount Carmel-St. Benedicta-St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, Staten Island, NY) - https://www.cny.org/stories/cardinal-offers-prayers-after-vandalism-of-statues-at-staten-island-church,22418
May 14: Large crucifix toppled and smashed, American flag burned (St. Athanasius Catholic Church, Brooklyn, NY) - https://abc7ny.com/brooklyn-church-vandalize-bensonhurst-vandalized/10635147/
May 8-9: Statue of Jesus Christ vandalized (St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Narragansett, RI) -https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247654/rhode-island-statue-of-jesus-vandalized
May 8: Rocks thrown through stained glass windows (Our Lady of Grace, Everett, MA) - http://reverejournal.com/2021/05/19/our-lady-of-grace-church-vandalized/
May 6: Stained glass windows broken and statue of San Juan Diego vandalized (Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Riverside, CA) - https://www.pe.com/2021/05/07/church-windows-statue-vandalized-in-jurupa-valley/
May 5: Statue of Polish priest vandalized (McCarren Park, Brooklyn, NY)
May 4: Update on fire at Mission San Gabriel Arcángel in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles - “Man Charged with Arson in San Gabriel Mission Fire” - https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-05-04/man-charged-with-arson-in-san-gabriel-mission-fire
May 2-3: Statue of Jesus Christ decapitated (St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Waltham, MA) - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247582/christ-statue-at-massachusetts-church-vandalized
April 2021
April 26: Man smashed face of Our Lady of Guadalupe with a sledgehammer (St. Elisabeth Catholic Church, Van Nuys, CA) - https://ktla.com/news/local-news/man-caught-on-camera-vandalizing-van-nuys-church/
April 17 or 18: Statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Mary Magdalene, and St. John, spray painted (Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Woodland, CA) - https://catholic-sf.org/news/two-parishes-in-the-sacramento-diocese-vandalized
April 17 or 18: Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary spray painted (St. John Vianney, Rancho Cordova, CA) - https://catholic-sf.org/news/two-parishes-in-the-sacramento-diocese-vandalized
April 16 or 17: Face of statue of Jesus vandalized (St. Mary’s Cathedral, Fargo, ND) - https://www.twincities.com/2021/04/19/vandals-jesus-statue-fargo-cathedral-catholic/
April 15: Statues of three female saints vandalized (Holy Rosary Church,Woodland, CA) - https://fox40.com/news/local-news/saint-statues-at-woodland-church-vandalized/
April 1: Gunshots fired at abbey of Benedictines of Mary, Queen of the Apostles (Abbey of Our Lady of Ephesus, Gower, MO) - https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/missouri-nuns-targeted-in-multiple
March 2021
March 22: Fire at St. Charles Catholic School is being investigated as possible arson (St. Charles Catholic Church, Spokane, WA) - https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2021/mar/18/fire-at-st-charles-elementary-school-causes-signif/
March 12: Unkown substance inserted into locks, statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary knocked down (St. Teresa of Calcutta Church, St. John Paul II Academy, and St. Monica-St. Augustine Catholic Church, Boston, MA) - https://www.bostonherald.com/2021/03/14/two-boston-churches-vandalized-again-its-unsettling/
March 2: Vandals damaged statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Thomas the Apostle (St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Ft. Worth, TX) - https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/crime/article249629393.html
February 2021
February 27: Several statues vandalized (Basilica of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Youngstown, OH) - https://www.morningjournalnews.com/news/local-news/2021/02/vandals-destroy-religious-statues-at-youngstown-church/
February 25: Chapel doors and statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary vandalized (St. Mary of the Knobs Catholic Church, Floyds Knobs, IN) - https://www.newsandtribune.com/news/statue-chapel-doors-vandalized-at-floyds-knobs-church/article_1dc1ff24-779d-11eb-91f8-dbc430835938.html
February 16: Statue and flower pots around altar damaged (St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Denver, CO) - https://kdvr.com/news/video-shows-vandal-smashing-objects-inside-southwest-denver-church/
February 10: Three angel statues toppled and broken (St. Pius X, El Paso, TX) - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vandalism-outside-el-paso-catholic-church-damages-three-angel-statues-15588
January 2021
January 29: Statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe shot six times (Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Houston, TX) - https://abc13.com/virgin-mary-statue-vandalized-church-vandalism-queen-of-peace-catholic/10127442/
January 19: Graffiti and arson at Cathedral (Rosary Cathedral, Toledo, OH) - https://www.13abc.com/2021/01/18/officials-investigating-arson-case-at-rosary-cathedral/
January 1: Cathedral tagged with anti-police graffiti (St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York, NY) - https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nypd-vandals-tagged-st-patricks-cathedral-during-new-years-protest/2807917/
2020
December 2020
December 28: Stained glass windows vandalized (Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, Fall River, MA) - https://www.heraldnews.com/story/news/crime/2020/12/28/vandal-damages-windows-st-marys-cathedral-and-police-looking-person-interest/4065801001/
December 25: Nativity scene vandalized on Christmas morning (St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Indianapolis, IN) - https://fox59.com/news/downtown-church-nativity-scene-vandalized-on-christmas-day/
December 11: Front entrance to site graffitied (Mission San Juan Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA) - https://www.foxla.com/news/vandals-strike-244-year-old-church-in-orange-county
December 6: Church buildings and bathroom spray-painted (St. Louis Catholic Church, Houma, LA) - https://www.houmatoday.com/story/news/2020/12/09/catholic-church-vandalized-bayou-blue/6507201002/
December 2: Multiple incidents of vandalism including topping of statues, tearing down stations of the cross (St. Joseph Catholic Church, Derry, PA) - https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/derry-church-is-target-of-repeated-vandalism/
November 2020
November 23: Statue of Jesus smashed with rock, two other statues decapitated and pushed into sewer drain, garden set on fire with accelerant (St. Bernard Catholic Church, FL) - https://wsvn.com/news/local/broward/man-destroys-3-statues-from-sunrise-catholic-church-shoves-2-down-sewer-drain/
November 15: Apparent arson attack (Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Brewster, WA) - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/two-churches-in-washington-state-burn-in-apparent-arson-attacks-71032
November 10: Portrait of St. Pope John Paul II defaced (St. Gabriel Elementary School, Milford, CT) - https://www.ctpost.com/policereports/article/Police-Pope-John-Paul-II-portrait-defaced-at-15717317.php
November 9: Statue of Mary graffitied, “God is dead” spray-painted on church exterior (St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Chicago, IL) - https://abc7chicago.com/saint-marys-catholic-church-south-side-vandalized-vandals/7786481/
November 8: Head of Jesus stolen from crucifix (Mother Cabrini Catholic Church, Shamokin, PA) - https://fox56.com/news/local/vandals-ruin-statue-at-shamokin-catholic-church-police-investigating
October 2020
October 25: Altar vandalized (St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, Louisville, KY) - https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2020/10/27/man-broke-into-louisville-catholic-church-vandalized-altar/3749162001/
October 22: Statue of Mary toppled (St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Scranton, PA) - https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/statue-mary-st-peter-and-paul-scranton-vandalism/523-c6aa82e9-7a12-4388-a804-691f576781df
October 21: Statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ found toppled; gardens surrounding the statues were also damaged. (St. Germaine Catholic Church, Prescott Valley, AZ) - https://gcmaz.com/prescott-valley-police-looking-for-information-into-recent-church-vandalism/
October 20: Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary found vandalized; left hand was cut off, and there was a crack along her head. (Resurrection Roman Catholic Church, Brooklyn, NY) - https://brooklynreporter.com/2020/10/virgin-mary-statue-vandalized-outside-church/
October 19: Pro-life display vandalized. The display consists of 150 small white crosses and a banner, which were knocked down. (Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Magnolia, AR) - http://www.magnoliareporter.com/news_and_business/local_news/article_40c24c66-138b-11eb-9d34-87aaf5ed6624.html
October 12: Statue of Junipero Serra defaced and pulled down (Mission San Rafael Arcángel, San Rafael, CA) - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/st-junipero-serra-statue-defaced-pulled-down-on-indigenous-peoples-day-48874
September 2020
September 29: Statues of Joseph, Mary, and infant Jesus decapitated, heads carried away (St. Joseph Cupertino Catholic Church, Fall River, MA)- https://www.heraldnews.com/news/20201001/fall-river-man-charged-in-cathedral-break-in-also-suspected-of-decapitating-holy-statues
September 29: Rocks, cinderblocks thrown through windows of Catholic church, decapitated heads of holy family statues found on site (Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, Fall River, MA) - https://www.heraldnews.com/news/20201001/fall-river-man-charged-in-cathedral-break-in-also-suspected-of-decapitating-holy-statues
September 26: Churches graffitied with swastikas, “White Power,” upside down crosses, “BLM,” and “Biden 2020” (St. Peter’s Chaldean Catholic Cathedral and Our Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, El Cajon, CA) - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/chaldean-catholic-cathedral-vandalized-in-san-diego-with-white-power-blm-and-swastikas-29343
September 24: Man with baseball bat damages crucifix, doors at Catholic seminary (Assumption Seminary, San Antonio, TX) - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vandal-takes-baseball-bat-to-catholic-seminary-in-texas-but-none-harmed-63146
September 23: Man breaks church windows, sets pews on fire (Incarnation Catholic Church, Town ’n’ Country, FL) - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pastor-urges-prayer-forgiveness-after-florida-man-tries-to-burn-down-incarnation-catholic-church-71890
September 15: Statue of Jesus topped, beheaded (St. Patrick Cathedral, El Paso, TX) - https://kvia.com/news/crime/2020/09/15/jesus-statue-decapitated-in-brazen-vandalism-attack-at-el-pasos-st-patricks-cathedral/
September 13-14: Statue of St. Therese toppled, beheaded; parish office burglarized (St. Therese of the Child Jesus Catholic Church, Midvale, UT) - https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/national/catholic-church-parish-in-utah-vandalized-burglarized-on-back-to-back-nights
September 11: Statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe toppled (Shrine Church of Our Lady of Solace, Brooklyn, NY) - https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2020/09/16/caught-on-video-man-topples-statue-of-virgin-mary-outside-brooklyn-church-in-broad-daylight/
September 9: Statues damaged and beheaded, windows broken (Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Tioga, LA) - https://www.thetowntalk.com/story/news/2020/09/10/tioga-louisiana-crime-catholic-church-vandalism-destruction/3458492001/
August 2020
August 25: Anti-religious graffiti spray-painted on Catholic Church site during protests over police shooting of Jacob Blake (St. James Church, Kenosha, WI) - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/kenosha-catholics-praying-for-peace-after-third-night-of-violence-37993
August 24 (approximately): Attempted beheading of statue of Mary (Our Lady Help of Christians Church, Allentown, PA) - https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-allentown-virign-mary-statue-vandalized-20200903-tq62vv3pefffvi5fpa6klaj7fu-story.html
August 17: Statue of Mary beheaded, swastika spray-painted on Ten Commandments (Holy Family Parish, Citrus Heights, CA) - https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article245142440.html
August 9: Statue of St. Jude beheaded (Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine, Denver, CO) - https://kdvr.com/news/vandals-behead-st-jude-statue-outside-historic-denver-church/
August 8: Deconsecrated church destroyed in suspected arson (Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Wounded Knee, SD) - https://www.newscenter1.tv/ostdps-investigating-possible-arson-in-burning-of-wounded-knee-churches/
August 3: Fires set at church entrance (Sacred Heart Church, Weymouth, MA) - https://whdh.com/news/firefighters-believe-molotov-cocktail-was-thrown-at-weymouth-church/
July 2020
July 18-19: Abortion monument toppled (Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, Bloomingburg, NY) - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/weekend-sees-more-attacks-on-catholic-church-statues-across-us-26486
July 15: Satanic and anarchist symbols painted on the front door of the church (St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, New Haven, CT)
- Statement, Archdiocese of Hartford: (“This follows an apparent trend of desecrating Catholic spaces throughout the nation, as evidenced by incidents in Chattanooga, Queens, Boston, Sacramento, and Ocala.”) https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3244843232238777&id=424801330909662
July 14-15: Outdoor statue of Jesus knocked over and beheaded (Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Miami, FL)
- Statement, Archdiocese of Miami: “Archbishop Thomas Wenski is requesting that police investigate this incident as a hate crime.” https://www.miamiarch.org/CatholicDiocese.php?op=Article_15954448196450
July 14: Statue of St. Mary painted red (St. Mary’s Cathedral, Colorado Springs, CO) - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/catholic-church-statues-continue-to-be-attacked-in-florida-and-colorado-38551
July 13: Statue of St. Mary beheaded (St. Stephen Catholic Church, Chattanooga, TN) - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/statue-of-virgin-mary-beheaded-at-tennessee-catholic-parish-74407
July 11-12: Outdoor statue of St. Mary burned (St. Peter’s Parish, Dorchester, MA) - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/statues-of-mary-vandalized-in-weekend-of-church-attacks-24779
- Statement, Archdiocese of Boston: https://www.bostoncatholic.org/news/july-13-2020-statement-regarding-vandalism-virgin-mary-statue-st-peters-parish-dorchester
July 11: Man crashed minivan through church door, poured gasoline on the foyer and lit it on fire. People were inside the church, preparing for Mass. (Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Ocala, FL) - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/arrest-made-in-ocala-florida-catholic-church-burning-21535
July 11: Fire at 249-year-old church destroyed the roof, pews, and more (Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, San Gabriel, CA) - https://angelusnews.com/local/la-catholics/after-a-devastating-fire-mission-san-gabriel-community-vows-to-rebuild
- Letter, Archbishop of Los Angeles, Jose Gomez https://uccla.org/news/letter-from-archbishop-gomez-regarding-the-mission-san-gabriel-fire
July 10: Outdoor statue of St. Mary spray painted with word “IDOL” (Cathedral Prep School and Seminary, Elmhurst, NY) - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/statues-of-mary-vandalized-in-weekend-of-church-attacks-24779
- Press release, Diocese of Brooklyn https://dioceseofbrooklyn.org/news/statue-of-blessed-mother-vandalized-at-cathedral-prep
July 5-6: Crucifix at roadside shrine smashed (St. Bernadette Catholic Church, Rockford, IL) - http://observer.rockforddiocese.org/article?id=1808
July 3: Outdoor statue of St. Mary beheaded and hands severed (St. Ann Catholic Parish, Gary, IN) - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/weekend-sees-more-attacks-on-catholic-church-statues-across-us-26486
June 2020
June 22: At a Catholic college’s on-campus cemetery for deceased priests who taught at the school, a man defaced gravestones by painting swastikas and anti-Catholic language, burned some American flags that were next to the graves, and assaulted a college security guard (Providence College, Providence, RI) - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/cross-and-graves-vandalized-with-swastika-at-catholic-university-cemetery-78172
- Statement by Providence College President, Rev. Brian J. Shanley, OP, and President-elect, Rev. Kenneth R. Sicard, OP: https://news.providence.edu/statement-on-vandalism-at-dominican-cemetery
May 2020
May 30-31: Church exterior damaged over multiple nights, including smashed gates, grafitti with messages such as “God is dead” and “There is no God,” and windows shattered by rocks (Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Denver, CO) - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/cathedrals-in-6-states-damaged-by-violent-protests-91111
May 30: Church exterior graffitied with “prosecute killer cops,” “ACAB” [All Cops Are Bastards], “Kill all cops,” and “Make America pay for its crimes against Black lives” (Our Lady of Mt. Lebanon-St. Peter Cathedral, Los Angeles, CA) - https://www.the961.com/lebanese-church-los-angeles-vandalized
May 29: Thrown rocks shattered rectory windows (Cathedral of the Assumption, Louisville, KY) - https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2020/06/01/louisville-cathedral-damaged-protests-over-floyd-death-turn-violent
May 29: Exterior damaged, including thrown rocks shattering windows (St. Jude Chapel, Dallas, TX) - https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2020/05/30/dallas-businesses-hit-in-violent-protests-over-racial-injustice
May 28: Someone broke into the church and poured flammable liquid under the pews, lighting a fire that damaged pews and the floor (Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis, MN)
https://www.mary.org/blog/202006/message-fr-john-bauer-justice-reconciliation-and-peace#.XxscoJ5KgdU
May 6: Pulpit, altar, and statue damaged (St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Casper, WY)
https://oilcity.news/crime/2020/05/08/suspect-arrested-in-25000-casper-church-vandalism/