ROCKFORD, ILL (Catholic Online) - As reported by The Blaze, a Catholic school bus prominently featuring a pro-life message alongside pro-life and patriotic imagery has been firebombed, likely with a molotov cocktail according to police and fire officials. 

The bus was bombed early Saturday morning just before 3 a.m.. The bus suffered major damage including broken windows, burned seats and has been rendered inoperable. School officials say the bus will probably have to be replaced. 

Authorities speculate that the firebombing may be more than random vandalism and in fact a retaliation for the recent closure of the town's local abortion clinic, the Northern Illinois Women's Center. The abortion facility recently closed its doors saying that a lack of community support prompted the closure.

Locals have speculated that this could be the motive behind the attack on the bus, since it featured a pro-life message. Authorities warn that until they have a suspect in custody, they cannot ascertain any motive. 

Meanwhile, the local newspaper, the Rockford Register Star, barely covered the incident, only reporting it in their Sunday PM edition, nearly 32 hours after the incident occurred. The paper also mentioned a second, similar incident involving a car had occurred a day earlier. 

The paper has not commented on why they took so long to report the incident. According to The Blaze, this could simply be because of the timing of the attack and that reporters simply did not have time to cover it. 

The bus belongs to the Sacred Heart Academy, a K-12 independent Catholic school, unattached to the local diocese. The bus was parked on a lat adjacent to the school and has been used to take kids on field trips, according to school officials. 

Local fire officials are asking for help in solving the crime and anyone with information is asked to contact local law enforcement officials. 

In any case, the trade of a bus for the protection of countless human lives is still a fine exchange.

© 2012, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.