Tag: Persecution

Sunday Report 10/27/2019

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Criminal acts against churches reported in North America this week have continued at about the average rate.

The Riverhead News-Review reports Lee Ragland, 33, was caught on surveillance video setting fire to a church in the state of New York.  The Fire Marshal told Riverhead Local it could have been much worse if it were not for quick action by firefighters. Ragland been charged with felony third-degree arson. His actions caused major damage to the building of Luz en tu Senda church.  No motive have been announced.

The St. Alban’s Episcopal church, also in the State of New York, was vandalized by criminals who spray painted a pentagram and the number 666 on the front door. Syracuse.com reports the vandal’s work was cleaned up within a few hours.

A fifth church vandalism within four months in Crowley, Louisiana is being investigated as a hate crime. The latest incident happened at the Jerusalem Baptist church in Crowley.  Local news reports say the motivation of the attacks may be racial, but officials have not yet made that determination.

Keep these folks in your prayers as they deal with the aftermath of those who have no respect for a house of worship.

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.

$5,000 offered to find arsonist who targeted Arizona church

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(Photos: ATF)

Authorities have announced a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the individual or individuals responsible for an arson that destroyed the sanctuary of the Huachuca United Methodist Church in Huachuca, Arizona, USA. The reward was announced via a press release from the Huachuca police department.

The Fire was discovered shortly after 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018. The ATF has confirmed the fire was intentionally set.

A Facebook post shared on the Church’s Facebook page says, “As many people in the community have heard, the United Methodist church in Huachuca City was burned in a fire on the evening of October 18th. While we are saddened by this loss, we remember these words from Joshua 1:9: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Please be in prayer for the Huachuca UMC congregation as they deal with this loss and look for a place to have worship and do ministry.”

A motive for the attack has not yet been determined.

 

UPDATE: Seattle police release photos of suspect in church arson

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The Seattle, Washington Police Department this week released surveillance photos of a man they say threw lit incendiary devices at a church building during Thursday evening service.

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The FBI and the police department are jointly investigating the attack.  No further information has been released.

Seattle arsonist tosses incendiary devices during Thursday-night service

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The sound of worship and praise music at a Seattle, Washington church was abruptly interrupted by an arsonist who threw Molotov cocktails at the building shortly after the opening hymn.

The attack happened around 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, at the Iglesia ni Cristo church about a half-hour after the service began.   Seattle Fire Department spokeswoman Kristin Tinsley told The Seattle Times there were multiple hand-held incendiary devices used in the attack. Tinsley told the paper the improvised firebombs were lit bottles of an unknown liquid.

King5 Television reports none of the estimated 50 people who were inside the sanctuary were injured by the criminal’s actions.  The fire was put out by congregation members before the fire department arrived.

A news release issued by the Seattle, Washington Police Department says, “Seattle Police Arson/Bomb Squad detectives have taken over the investigation and are working with witnesses to develop a suspect description.

Officials have not yet determined a motive for the act of violence against the congregation.