Category: News affecting the Church

Police Investigate Church Assault in Sarnia

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On January 4, 2025, Sarnia police responded to an assault report at a church near Christina Street and London Road shortly before 7 p.m.

A media release from the Sarina Police Service says officers spoke with a 23-year-old man who said he had been praying alone in the church when an unknown individual attacked him. According to the victim, the suspect approached from behind and placed a ligature around his neck in an attempt to strangle him. A struggle followed, during which the victim managed to escape and seek help. He was later treated in hospital for injuries that were not life-threatening.

Police searched the area for the suspect and determined that he had also tried to tamper with a security camera at the church before leaving the scene. Through further investigation, officers identified the suspect as Nicholas Ritonja, a 38-year-old Sarnia resident.

The search for Ritonja extended to surrounding police agencies. Later that evening, at 11:55 p.m., the suspect attempted to surrender at the Ontario Provincial Police station in Point Edward. He was arrested there and transferred to the custody of Sarnia police.

Ritonja has been charged with several offences, including:

Assault Causing Bodily Harm – Choke, Suffocate, or Strangle
Assault with a Weapon
Mischief Under $5,000
Uttering Threats

Police have stated that the motive for this unprovoked attack remains unclear. However, investigators believe that the suspect’s possible use of illegal substances may have contributed to the incident.

Authorities continue to investigate.

Man with bat smashes windows and doors at four US churches

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Four churches in South Carolina have been vandalized this week, resulting in thousands of dollars in damage. An 18-year-old suspect has been arrested for allegedly using a baseball bat to smash windows and doors at the churches.

The incident affected four congregations located several kilometres apart. One church representative reported that 20 windows and entrance doors were damaged, with the front doors alone estimated to cost around $40,000 to repair.

The suspect is currently in custody with a bond set at over $100,000.

While the churches plan to enhance their security measures, they intend to continue holding regular services. Some church leaders are curious about the motivation behind the vandalism.

The affected churches are working to assess and repair the damage. One church representative mentioned that the cost of repairing the front doors alone would be significant, not including the numerous broken windows.

Despite the destruction, the church community has shown resilience and a spirit of forgiveness. They remain committed to their mission and hope to understand the reasons behind this act of vandalism.

OPP Investigates Church Theft in Southern Georgian Bay

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A church in Victoria Harbour fell victim to a break-in and theft just before the New Year. The Southern Georgian Bay OPP is now seeking the public’s help to solve the crime.

On December 30, 2024, staff at St. Mary’s Church discovered that someone had broken into the building overnight. The culprits smashed a window to gain entry and made off with $1,500 worth of grocery gift cards, according to a press release.

The stolen gift cards, valued at $30 and $60 each, can be used at Foodland and No Frills stores.

As the investigation continues, the community is urged to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

Threats to Christian Communities in Syria This Christmas

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Syrian church leaders have advised Christians to scale back Christmas celebrations this year, despite assurances from the newly empowered Islamist group that religious freedom will be respected.

On December 18, a Greek Orthodox church in Hama was attacked by unidentified gunmen. The assailants entered the church compound, attempted to destroy a cross, and damaged headstones in a nearby cemetery.

In Damascus, residents of Bab Touma, a predominantly Christian neighbourhood, were unsettled by SUVs driving through the area playing Islamic songs at high volume.

The Iraqi Christian Foundation has reported that Christians in Maaloula, an ancient town in southwestern Syria where Aramaic is still spoken, are being threatened with expulsion by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militant group. The organization described this as an act of ethnic cleansing.

Rights activists have also raised concerns about the lack of internet access and communication in Maaloula, warning of a potential massacre in this historically significant Christian town.

The Iraqi Christian Foundation, which advocates for Christian rights in West Asia and provides aid to Christian genocide victims in Iraq and Syria, shared this information on social media, calling for prayers for Syrian Christians.

Orthodox Christmas is 7 January, 2025.

Syrian Christians Face Uncertain Christmas Under New Islamist Rulers

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Syrian Christians gathered in Damascus to observe Christmas Eve on Tuesday, marking their first celebration since President Bashar al-Assad was removed from power in early December. The service, held at the Lady of Damascus Church, came under the watchful eye of the nation’s new rulers, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The event served as a test of HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa’s pledge to protect religious minorities in Syria.

Security was a central concern, with HTS vehicles positioned outside the church to prevent possible violence. Worshippers proceeded with their service, lighting candles and singing traditional hymns, despite the tension surrounding the celebration.

Earlier that day, protests erupted in Damascus in response to the burning of a Christmas tree in northern Hama.

Recent events have heightened the fear among Christians. On December 18, a Greek Orthodox church in Hama was attacked, leading to vandalism of a cross and damage to cemetery headstones. In another incident, vehicles passed through Bab Touma, a historically Christian neighbourhood in Damascus, broadcasting jihadist songs.

HTS, a group with origins in al-Qaeda, has vowed to protect minority groups, including Christians. However, many in the Christian community remain wary, pointing to these recent attacks as evidence of ongoing hostility. The group’s leader, a former jihadist, has promised to avoid acts of retribution against members of Assad’s Alawite-dominated government.

This Christmas season has left Syrian Christians balancing their celebrations with the realities of an uncertain future. While HTS has made public commitments to safeguard minorities, the community awaits concrete actions to ensure their safety and freedoms.