Category: News

The Sunday Report, Nov 10, 2019

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Criminal acts against the church in North America continue at a steady pace.  Reported incidents are mostly petty crimes and acts of vandalism.

Halifax-area RCMP are asking for the public’s help in identifying the people responsible for vandalism at a church in Sackville. Valliant News reports derogatory comments were painted on the building and property was damaged by the vandal or vandals. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to the Halifax District RCMP at . If you wish to remain anonymous call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477.)

RCMP are investigating a suspicious fire at a church nursery in Carman, Man.  CBC reports the fire was confined to one room. RCMP ask anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. 

Two men are charged with multiple charges including defacing religious property and defacing an institution because of religious animosity after bias-related graffiti was found at a Maryland Methodist Church, according to a report from Patch.com.

Two women in Lima, Ohio have agreed to reimburse the congregation of New Life Assembly and enter a diversity program after they pleaded guilty to vandalizing a church.  Hometownstations.com reports prosecutors dropped a higher charge of desecration as part of a negotiated plea deal.

A Former New York University professor is charged with a hate crime after police say security cameras caught him vandalizing a Brooklyn Church.  NBCNewYork.com reports Michael Gould Wartofsky previously taught sociology at NYU.

Investigators in Greene County, Tennessee are asking anyone with information about a fire that was intentionally set at the Gethsemane Methodist Church to call the local sheriff’s office.  The fire was set sometime between Nov 4 and Nov 5 according to a report from WJHL television.

A Toronto church has helped at least 33 families from 13 countries find a new home. The CBC reports the families are helped by the Etobicoke-based Islington United Church under Canada’s Private Sponsorship Program.

Please pray for the affected congregations and for those who committed these crimes.

Sunday Report: Nov. 3, 2019

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Some members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle in Ottawa say there have been injustices against Canada’s Indigenous people and are working to protect their language and cultural.  The B.C. Catholic reports the group published a letter and video acknowledging past unfair actions. 

Investigators in New York say a fire that heavily damaged Luz En Tu Senda church in Riverhead is not being investigated as a hate crime because there is no indication the church was targeted for a racial motive. Riverheadlocal.com reports a Freedom of Information request seeking release of a statement of the suspect, Lee Ragland, that would reveal the motive, but officials have refused to release the statement.

A man who vandalized St. Patrick-St. Anthony Catholic church Grand Rapids, Michigan and threatened two church members was sentenced this week to a year in jail. Anthony Lee Wabindato was found guilty of two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, one count of resisting arrest and one count of malicious destruction of property.  According to WOOD TV, the judge also ordered him to pay $3,690 in fines.

Fire officials in North Hornell, Kansas say they believe an Oct. 27 fire at the Station Church was intentionally set. The Evening Tribune reports the Steuben County Sheriff’s office has begun a criminal investigation. Damage to the church is estimated at over $15,000.

Police made an arrest in two recent vandalisms at St. Patrick’s Parish in Watsonville, California after the release of surveillance video sparked tips that led officers to Arturo Padilla. Patch.com reports the damage is estimated at over $1,500. KSBW reports Arturo Padilla is charged with vandalism of a church.

 

Arrests made, few motives known for attacks on North American churches

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Acts of vandalism continue at churches across North America. The majority of the cases reported this week remain unsolved.  It is unclear if a fire at St. Matthew’s Presbyterian Church in Grand Falls-Windsor is accidental or arson.  The chairman of the church says the cleanup is ongoing following the Oct. 18 fire. CBNCompass.ca reports the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Law enforcement agencies in the US this week have made arrests in church vandalism cases, but have fallen short in determining a motive for the crimes.  Four churches in Crowley, Louisiana were vandalized who smashed windows and fled. Police say the churches attacked are predominately African American and the vandal or vandals could be charged with a hate crime according to KADN television.  Two churches in Buffalo, Illinois were targeted this week by vandals who caused more than $10,000 in damage. Ourquadcities.com reports no arrests have been made. A homeless man was arrested for arson at Our Lady Immaculate Church in Springfield, Massachusetts. Recorder.com reports Trevor DeFrancesco, 21, is held on $20,000 bond. Officials have not determined a motive in the acts of destruction.

Congregation worships at citizen’s club after fire guts sanctuary

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CARTERET, N.J., USA – A congregation in Carteret, New Jersey., on Sunday, held its first service since fire destroyed the church’s sanctuary Nov. 27.  parishioners told News 12 they will rebuild.

“It is with the saddest heart that we must inform you that we had a fire at our beautiful Church this past Tuesday night. Our Church is currently uninhabitable, but we will continue holding services for our parishioners at the Ukrainian American Citizens Club, located at 728 Roosevelt Ave., just a block away, on Sunday mornings,” says a message on the church’s web site.

According to a Facebook post from Carteret Fire Department & EMS, the 64-year-old church building, “sustained Significant Damage and the Church might be a Total Loss.”

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

Those wishing to contribute to help the congregation should make their donation to St. Mary Church Rebuilding fund, 719 Roosevelt Ave., Carteret, NJ, 07008.

Students bring Bibles to school

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Liberty Counsel news release:

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — More than half a million students from across the United States will participate in the fifth annual Bring Your Bible to School movement on Thursday, October 4, 2018.

Though the First Amendment guarantees students the right to discuss their beliefs and read the Bible at school, Bring Your Bible to School day provides a unified opportunity for young people to share their faith at school without fear.

Throughout the day, students can share their experiences on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #BringYourBible.

The Constitution allows students the religious freedom to bring their Bibles or other religious books to school and read them during free time. Students can even use the Bible in a class assignment if they do so in a way that is relevant to the subject matter and meets the requirements of the assignment. Students can voluntarily express their personal and religious beliefs to their classmates through verbal or written expressions if they follow school policy and do not engage in these activities during classroom or instruction time. The First Amendment also guarantees students the right to pray individually or in groups on school grounds during any non-instructional time. All students may express their opinions verbally or in writing before or after school, in between classes, during the lunch hour or on the playing field, according to the federal guidelines on prayer in public schools found on Liberty Counsel’s website.

“Liberty Counsel supports all students who exercise their constitutional right to bring their Bibles to school on Bring Your Bible to School day and throughout the academic year,” said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. “Schools must remain neutral towards any expression of a religious viewpoint and provide equal access to students exercising their right to freedom of speech by praying or reading the Bible during non-instructional time,” said Staver.