A large number of Catholic churches from Florida to California were burned and smashed over the weekend as police continue to investigate whether or not they are related to protests against symbols and statues.
After George Floyd’s police-related death in May, Black Lives Matter leaders and protesters called for the overthrow of statues, from Confederate symbols to former presidents and abolitionists in the United States. Activist Shaun King called for all images depicting Jesus as a “white European” and his mother to be shot down because they are forms of “white supremacy” and “racist propaganda.”
Meanwhile, people on social media point to a lack of general coverage of the weekend’s incidents.
“The churches are burning to the ground. What?” Mike Cernovich, a controversial right-wing author, said in a video on Twitter. “Why is this not the most important story of the day?”
Sean Feucht, a California worship leader and pastor, commenting on the incidents asked, “Where’s the outrage?”
Florida church attacked as parishioners prepare for mass
Steven Anthony Shields, 24, allegedly crashed his vehicle through the front doors of the Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ocala and then set fire to the lobby area of the building, according to the sheriff’s office.
(Marion County Sheriff’s Office)
A man in Florida crashed his vehicle at Queen of Peace Catholic Church as he prepared for Saturday morning mass, poured gasoline in the lobby and then set fire to the building before leaving, reports the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
Steven Anthony Shields, 24, was arrested and charged with attempted murder, arson, robbery and evading arrest. He told investigators that what he did was “incredible” and that he was on a “mission” while smiling and laughing as he admitted to setting the church on fire, according to an affidavit obtained by the Ocala Star-Banner.
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Shields, who lives near Dunnellon, told a detective that he has problems with the Catholic Church and has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and is not taking his medication, Star-Banner reported.
Despite the church hall being severely damaged, mass was celebrated on Saturday and Sunday, according to local news.
Historic California church catches fire
The interior of the San Gabriel Mission is damaged after a morning fire, Saturday, July 11, 2020, in San Gabriel, California. The fire destroyed the roof and most of the interior of the nearly 250-year-old California church that was undergoing renovation. (AP Photo / Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Around the same time as the Florida incident, a 249-year-old Catholic church in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles caught fire.
The San Gabriel church, which was being renovated for its next 250th anniversary, caught fire around 4 in the morning, burning the roof and interior of the church.
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The cause of the fire is under investigation. But the recent destruction of monuments to Junipero Serra, the founder of the California mission system, whom indigenous activists see as a symbol of oppression, will be a factor in the investigation, said Capt. Antonio Negrete of the San Gabriel Fire Department . Local Fox 11 news channel.
“This will be another box that they will check,” he said, adding: “It is a tragic loss for our city. It is our city identifier.”
Burned Virgin Mary statue in Boston
A statue of the Virgin Mary was burned outside a Boston church Saturday night, reports NBC 10 Boston.
Boston police are investigating a reported fire outside the San Pedro parish at 10 p.m., where they found the burned statue. The flowers in the hands of Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, were burned, damaging her arms to her face.
“It surprised me,” Pastor John Currie told local news.
He explained that the statue was erected decades ago in memory of World War II veterans.
Virgin Mary statue in shattered New York City
Another statue of the Virgin Mary was smashed in New York City on July 10.
The Diocese of Brooklyn announced that police are investigating the incident in which the statue at Queens Cathedral Preparatory School and Seminary had “IDOL” spray-painted paint at 3am Friday morning, reports the Catholic Agency. of News.
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The p. James Kuroly, rector and president of Cathedral Prep, called the incident “an act of hatred.”
“Obviously, this tragedy saddens us deeply, but it also renews our hope and faith in the Lord, as he has shown his goodness to the many people who have already contacted us,” Kuroly said. “We are sincerely grateful for the help we have received, as well as for the prayers. Continue to pray for those who committed this act of vandalism and hatred towards Our Lady and the Church. “
Other church incidents during the weekend
In addition, another church fire in San Diego is being investigated by police, as the 12:30 am fire on Sunday morning appears “suspicious,” Metro team Arson Strike said.
Calvary Baptist is a historically black church, though its website says it has grown into a “multicultural faith community” in recent years.
President Trump has strongly opposed the overthrow of any monument and symbol, signing an executive order to protect them, and punishing criminals with prison.
Travis Fedschun of Fox News contributed to this report.
