Category: News affecting the Church

Church arson

US offers $50K reward in church arson

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Officials in the US are offering a $50,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person (or persons) who burned a church building.

A press release from the Federal Bureau of Investigation says the arson attack happened Sept. 17, 2020 at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church in San Francisco.

“This act of violence was not just an attack on a building, but on a congregation. This was an attack on a community,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig Fair. “We are counting on assistance from members of the community to keep our city safe. Every lead will be thoroughly investigated. Regardless of how insignificant you think your information might be, we strongly encourage you to come forward and we welcome your information and assistance.”

The FBI has jurisdiction to investigate fires set at houses of worship under the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for those who wish to donate to the church.

Vandals damage 244-year-old church site

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A church building that was constructed in the United States when the country was still a British colony has been damaged by vandals.

Mission San Juan Capistrano, located in California, was built in 1776 by Spanish Catholic missionaries. It was the 7th of 21 Spanish missions built in California according to the Mission’s website. Church officials Friday said someone had tagged the historic structure with graffiti.  Officials have not yet said if the vandalism was a random act or if the mission was targeted.

The mission has been temporarily closed until further notice.

“Mission San Juan Capistrano remains committed to preserving the religious and historical significance of the site,” says a post on the mission’s Facebook page. 

‘What is real will prosper’ Vandals tag church building with secularist graffiti

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Jeff Turner – Music Reporter

A congregation in Louisiana is cleaning up after it was targeted by vandals who used spray paint to leave secularist messages inside and outside of the church building.

A spokesperson for the Lafourche Parish, Louisiana Sheriff’s Office said the vandalism was found on Dec. 7, 2020 at St. Louis Catholic Church. The criminal or criminals are believed to have done the damage sometime the evening of Dec. 5 and the morning of Dec. 6. The spokesperson said a reward of up to $1,000 is offered for information leading to an arrest.

No other information has been released.

Worship continues in wake of vandal’s mess

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A New Jersey congregation says worship services will go on as planned in spite of damage vandals caused to the church sanctuary this week.

Pipes were ripped out of the church organ and debris scattered around the pulpit of the First United Methodist Church of Freehold.

“We will not let this crush our spirits! Please join me in praying for our Trustees as they work to fix this issue. May we also pray for the person(s) desperate enough to commit this crime,” says a message on the church’s Facebook page.

A church spokesperson said it appears someone was trying to steal pipes from the organ, but only damaged the instrument.  They were unsuccessful in stealing anything.

Massachusetts man awaits trial for setting two fires inside church building

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Prosecutors in Greenfield, Massachusetts are preparing their case for the trial of a man accused of setting two fires inside a Catholic Church building last year.

Trevor J. Defrancesco, 21, was arraigned in Franklin County Superior Court Thursday for an Oct. 19, 2019 fire at Our Lady Immaculate Church in Athol, Mass., according to a report in the Greenfield Recorder. Prosecutors have not said what they believe to be his motive.

A report filed by WHDH television shortly after the fire says the building sustained only moderate damage.