We totally ‘condemn’ this action. A statue depicting Jesus Christ has been found decapitated inside a South Florida church, leaving congregants of the house of worship shaken. "It does look like a graffiti tag more than anything else," Fr. “We don’t know if this was the targeted desecration of a sacred statue, or some kind of misguided prank, but it hurts. Please join in the church's vital mission of communications by offering a gift in whatever amount that you can ― a single gift of $40, $50, $100, or more, or a monthly donation. Once inside, he set the interior of the church ablaze. Christ statue vandalized at Florida church. The missing head has not been found. A decapitated statue of Jesus is seen at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Miami July 15, 2020. We invite our community to pray for peace," parish officials said in a statement. A statue of Jesus Christ has been ripped from its plinth, and decapitated at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Miami, Florida, on Wednesday. “I’m not sure there was any sense or meaning behind it.”. Police later apprehended the suspect who had fled the scene, identified as Anthony Steven Shields, 24, who was charged with several felonies, including attempted second-degree murder, arson to a structure and felony fleeing or attempting to elude. News reports said flowers in Mary’s hands were set on fire, causing damage from her arms up to her face. In Los Angeles a fire ravaged Mission San Gabriel Arcangel church in the predawn hours of July 11. Police later apprehended the suspect who had fled the scene, identified as Anthony Steven Shields, 24, who was charged with several felonies, including attempted second-degree murder, arson to a structure and felony fleeing or attempting to elude. A wave of recent attacks on Catholic statues includes an unidentified person using red paint to deface a statue of Mary in front of St. Mary’s Cathedral in downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado, July 15. Once inside, he set the interior of the church ablaze. Republican Tennessee Rep. Chuck Fleischmann addressed the beheading of a Virgin Mary statue in. The Department of Homeland Security is among the agencies investigating the case. Fire also claimed much of two Catholic churches, one in Florida and one in California. She told the local Fox News affiliate Archbishop Wenski requested investigators consider the vandalism “a hate crime.”. ", Knoxville Bishop Richard F. Stika tweeted about the incident July 13, saying "what a strange time" we live in. The statue, located at southwest Miami-Dade’s Good Shepherd Catholic Church, was found decapitated and removed from its pedestal, and the Rev. There were no injuries reported. “Anytime something like this happens it is disappointing and concerning,” said Diocese of Knoxville diocesan spokesman Jim Wogan in a statement. On July 15, the statue at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Southwest Miami-Dade was found with its head chopped off and knocked from its pedestal. Police later apprehended the suspect who had fled the scene, identified as Anthony Steven Shields, 24, who was charged with several felonies, including attempted second-degree murder, arson to a structure and felony fleeing or attempting to elude. Good Shepherd relies on the diligence of all our liturgical ministers and ushers to keep everyone safe. Your email address will not be published. In the Diocese of Orlando, Florida, a man crashed his van through the doors of Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Ocala early in the morning July 11. “Our bishop has asked that we live by the example set in the Gospel of Matthew, to treat others as we ourselves would want to be treated.”, Knoxville Bishop Richard F. Stika tweeted about the incident July 13, saying “what a strange time” we live in. The Rev. A wave of recent attacks on Catholic statues includes an unidentified person using red paint to deface a statue of Mary in front of St. Mary's Cathedral in downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado, July 15. (RELATED: Connecticut Catholic Church Vandalized With ‘Anarchist And Satanic Symbols,’ Archdiocese Says), Less than a week after another incident targeting. at Catholic Churches across the country that have been defaced and a fire at the San Gabriel Mission in California, which is being investigated. The McCarrick Report is Out: Read Our Full Coverage. Learn more here, Copyright © The National Catholic Reporter Publishing Company | 115 E. Armour Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64111 | 1-800-444-8910, A decapitated statue of Jesus is seen at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Miami July 15, 2020. MIAMI (CNS) — The beheading of a statue of Christ at a Catholic church in the Miami Archdiocese has saddened the parish community of Good Shepherd Church and prompted Miami Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski to call on law enforcement to investigate the incident as a hate crime. “It is too soon to arrive to any conclusion, but we have seen other churches vandalized around the country. By making even a small donation you help ensure our future as an important voice in the Catholic Church. On July 15, the statue at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Southwest Miami-Dade was found with its head chopped off and knocked from its pedestal. In the Diocese of Knoxville, Tennessee, Father Manuel Perez, pastor of St. Stephen Catholic Church in Chattanooga, found a statue of Mary on the parish grounds knocked over and beheaded. on the grounds of Cathedral Prep School and Seminary, Mexican church, civic leaders: No pilgrims at basilica for Guadalupe feast, Use of Pfizer, Moderna COVID-19 vaccines is morally acceptable, say bishops. The Department of Homeland Security is among the agencies investigating the case. Your gift will strengthen the fabric of our entire Catholic community. Police in Boston were likewise investigating a fire that damaged a statue of Mary outside St. Peter Church the evening of July 11. ", "Obviously, this tragedy saddens us deeply," he said in a statement, "but it also renews our hope and faith in the Lord as he has shown his goodness in the many people who have already reached out to us." By using this site, you consent to the placement and use of these cookies. pic.twitter.com/vhHhmosKef — Ratus Catholicam (@RatusCatholicam) July 16, 2020 “This morning I found it on the ground, and we presume that it is vandalism,” said da Silva. In the Diocese of Knoxville, Tennessee, Father Manuel Perez, pastor of St. Stephen Catholic Church in Chattanooga, found a statue of Mary on the parish grounds knocked over and beheaded. The missing head has not been found. Thank you. In the Diocese of Orlando, Florida, a man crashed his van through the doors of Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Ocala early in the morning July 11. 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