Arson and desecration of Catholic churches during the unrest in the U.S.
In many U.S. cities protests have been pending since last Monday after the death of 46-year-old George Floyd. The American man was murdered in Minneapolis during a brutal police operation. In many places, demonstrations turned into riots that were characterised by the destruction of public property, fights with the police and the looting of multiple shops.
Vandals also targeted some Catholic churches. “The Basilica of Saint Mary [in Minneapolis – Ed.] suffered minor damage yesterday; fortunately, nobody was hurt during the incident. At this time, we are praying for peace and healing the situation in our city,” said temple spokeswoman Mae Desaire.
“The damage compared to what’s happening in the city is minimal, and that’s what we want to focus on,” she added, speaking to the Catholic News Agency.
The parish did not specify the nature of the damage. Commentators on social media suggest arson. The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary was consecrated in 1914. In 1926, by decision of Pope Pius XI, it was given the status of the minor basilica. It was the first Catholic temple of this rank in the United States.
During the riots, the Cathedral of St. Patrick’s in Manhattan was also targeted. While the demonstration passed through Fifth Avenue, one of the participants wrote vulgar graffiti on the walls of the church.
During the protests, at least fifteen police cars have been set on fire in New York alone. The New York police (NYPD) arrested over one hundred people.
Source: pch24.pl
