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Vandalism is most often associated with youth gangs and spontaneous whims. The priest does not rule out that this has also been the case in this case.
– But I think young people would do it much more and in a different way, he says.
Experienced in Christian symbolism
What makes you believe that the perpetrator knows Christian symbolism well is that the destruction seems to have a purpose. The pulpit used by the priest was thrown out of the presbytery and the altar was completely cleaned.
– We ourselves remove everything from the altar once a year and it is before Good Friday. This is as if you wanted to create an eternal Good Friday, the worst imaginable for a believer, he says.
In addition, a wreath with a commemorative plaque was overturned to the parishioners who died last year, hymnals were spread and prayer candles were extinguished with fire extinguishers in the chandelier.
– They had been blown up. Using a fire extinguisher feels very over the top, says Tobias Unnerstål.
Resistance to abortion and pedophile scandals
He thinks the vandalism indicates a rage against the church and wonders what could have caused this. Plans for stricter abortion legislation in Europe? Pedophile abuses within the Catholic Church, where a report was recently published in the United States that was criticized for making victims invisible?
By all accounts, the attack took place in a very short time, probably a few minutes. There is information on individuals seen in the church at that time. But it is unclear if they had anything to do with the vandalism.
No screams of vengeance
Services and other activities continue as planned. And you don’t think about closing the church door during the week. However, Tobias Unnerstål has urged parishioners to come to the church during the weeks to pray. The risk of further attacks decreases when there are people in the room.
– I have received many phone calls, emails and text messages after this. “What made me especially happy was that many also care about the perpetrator and say that they also pray for him. I have not seen any shouts of revenge,” says the pastor.
