Catholic Churches Attacked 400 Times Since 2020, Tracker Finds

Catholic Mass

 Catholic churches in the United States have been attacked at least 400 times over the past four years, according to data compiled by the Catholic advocacy organization CatholicVote.

The hundreds of attacks across the nation began in connection with widespread civil unrest in May 2020, CatholicVote said. Examples include church burnings, beheadings of statues of Jesus Christ or the Virgin Mary, swastikas painted on grave stones, satanic and blasphemous statements graffitied on walls, windows smashed, Masses disrupted, and even the murder of a Catholic priest.

Read More

Commentary: Attacks on Churches Harm America’s Communities

In early July, three Christian churches in Bethesda, Maryland, were set on fire and vandalized over a 24-hour period.

At North Bethesda United Methodist Church, small fires were lit, the church’s fellowship hall and food pantry were damaged, and donations were destroyed.

Read More

Commentary: Attacks on Pregnancy Centers Are More than Mere Protests

There is great irony in the violence directed against pregnancy centers since the leak and then official release of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson decision. Reports of vandalism and destruction include graffiti such as “if abortions aren’t safe neither are you” and firebombing.

Pregnancy centers across America offer many services to women and men, their unborn children, and children post-birth—including pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease testing, ultrasounds, counseling, diapers, clothing, medical referrals for healthcare or community resources, and parenting classes. These services are provided free and funded by donations. 

Read More