As Christians, we need to recognize that racism is probably the most absolute negation of Jesus Christ’s message of love within our society. However, the attacks against churches can’t be dismissed as mere random occurrences, as they have been portrayed in the media. Catholics, may wonder what the vandals are trying to tell you when they tear down a statue of St. Junípero or even Jesus Christ.
Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Bayside and its parish school were vandalized on Saturday evening, Jan. 11 by someone who spray painted the name of MS-13, an international street gang, by the main entrances of both the school and church, according to the church’s Facebook page.
The vandalism, which caused more than $10,000 in damages, was part a spate of crimes at Catholic churches in northern Brooklyn and southern Queens this past summer, raising the already pressing issue of how churches in the all-urban Diocese of Brooklyn can protect their buildings and property.
Police arrested 69-year-old Nasra Alnadrahi at 10:30 a.m. Sunday on charges of cemetery desecration and criminal mischief connected to incidents at Shrine Church of St. Gerard Majella over the last few weeks.
After reportedly causing more than $10,000 worth of damage during two nighttime visits last week, the suspect returned to St. Gerard Majella, Hollis, on the night of Sept. 17 to try to damage the statue of the Blessed Mother that’s in the parish’s parking lot.
The Shrine Church of St. Gerard Majella, Hollis, was vandalized twice in one week in September, according to pastor Father JosephJude Gannon, who said he believes the same person was responsible for both acts.
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams joined Muslim and Jewish leaders and other elected officials in offering moral and financial support to the Catholic community Dec. 4 after a vandal desecrated statues in front of Our Lady of Consolation Church, Williamsburg.
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams will join Jewish and Muslim leaders outside the 90th Precinct stationhouse in Williamsburg to announce their joint contribution of funds for the restoration of two angel statues in front of Our Lady of Consolation Church.
