Two Catholic Churches Vandalized in One Week

Damaged statues and other acts of vandalism took place in two Catholic Churches six days apart.

WASHINGTON (Catholic Online) - In one seven day period, two Catholic Churches have reported vandalism. St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mandarin, a suburb of Jacksonville, Florida, experienced extensive damage on Saturday night, including the harm to nine statues. Other statues at the Cody Family Enrichment Center, across the street, and at the Catholic Cemetery were also targeted.

St. Ann's Catholic Church in the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina, found their statue of Jesus decapitated and desecrated with graffiti the previous Monday morning. The unknown vandals also sprayed vulgar phrases on the interior of the church building and broke windows in the parish school, which is located on the property.

Father Daniel Cody, pastor at St. Joseph's, told the Catholic News Agency that they will be able to repair the damaged statues. Those that have more serious problems will need restoration work while some, less damaged, have already been placed back on their pedestals.

"We have two people from the city who do this sort of work, and have volunteered to help us repair them," Fr. Cody told CNA, adding that they are planning to visit the parish on Thursday to inspect the damage.

"We had a problem like this about 10 or 12 years ago in the cemetery," according to the pastor's comments to CNA, adding that such acts are generally not common, and authorities currently have no leads as to who committed the act.

"But we've had huge publicity," Cody continued, noting that the local media have all covered the story. "And we're offering a $1,000 reward."

At St. Ann's, Fr. Tim Reid stated that their decapitated status, given in honor of a priest who had died of cancer, would have to be buried because it was blessed by the church.

Both pastors have encouraged their parishes to forgive the unknown offenders and pray for them.

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Randy Sly is the Associate Editor of Catholic Online and President of the Catholic Media Association. He is a former Archbishop of the Charismatic Episcopal church who laid aside that ministry to enter into the full communion of the Catholic Church.

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