Author: Texas Gospel

A spokesperson for the Eureka, California Police Department Wednesday morning said a fire at a Catholic Church building has been ruled arson.

Investigators released a photo they say shows the person behind the September 10 attack at St. Bernard’s Church. The identity of the man in the photo remains a mystery as of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

A police department news release says damage caused by the arsonist is minor.  A motive for the arson is unknown.

The police spokesperson asked anyone with information about the fire to call Officer Dalby at 707-441-4060.

An investigator with the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office has determined a church fire was intentionally set.

According to a report from WBOC, Church members were able to extinguish a fire at Refuge Temple Church of God before firefighters arrived Tuesday morning. Details of the fire have not been released, but WJLA television reports the fire marshal’s office was called due to, “the nature of the incident.” Delmarvanow.com reports the fire was intentionally set at the front doors and that, “several pieces of evidence” were collected.

Investigators have not identified a suspect or motive in the crime.  Officials are asking for anyone with information about the attack to call the Lower Eastern Region Office of the State Fire Marshal at 410-713-3780.

Shattered glass, a burned Christian flag and fire extinguisher residue in the sanctuary are among things noted by police investigating vandalism at a Fresno, California church building.  KFSN Television reports officers are investigating the incident at the East Fresno Baptist Church as a hate crime, although the motive has not yet been determined.

The damage was discovered by a deacon on Sunday. Although the destruction was substantial enough that services had to be moved to another location, the loss is not considered major. The Fresno Bee reports it is estimated at between $700 and $1,500.

Your Central Valley reports this is the second time in five months the church building has been damaged.

China’s government is ratcheting up a crackdown on Christian congregations in Beijing and several provinces, destroying crosses, burning bibles, shutting churches and ordering followers to sign papers renouncing their faith.

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