The San Francisco Interfaith Council, representing 800 faith communities and religious institutions, issued a statement of solidarity with the Archdiocese of San Francisco after a vandal left nine windows smashed at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Jan. 31.
“Horrific incidents, as the vandalism suffered by the Cathedral, are a stark reminder that San Francisco is not exempt from the destructive behavior of those who seek to damage houses of worship,” Michael G. Pappas, the council’s executive director, wrote.
“If anything, this costly incident has strengthened our collective resolve to address the issue in a united manner.”
There have been no arrests in the case so far.
Pappas told Catholic San Francisco the attack shocked him when he heard about it. “Father Art (Albano) is on our board and St. Mary’s is one of our shelter sites, and we have historically very close connections to the cathedral. It felt like a violation of a very close partner in our interfaith work,” he said.
In the aftermath of several terrorist attacks against religious congregations in the past year, the SFIC has placed an increasing emphasis on security in houses of worship. St. Mary’s Cathedral held a security workshop in September attended by more than 300.
The above comes from a Feb. 10 story in Catholic San Francisco.
There have been rashes of window breakins in San Francisco. Blocks of neighborhoods where businesses get their windows bashed, obviously with some rock or ax, mostly apparently aimed at chain businesses though not entirely. As far as I know, despite all the cameras in town, there have been no arrests. I can’t help wondering if this is related.
So is this a “hate crime”, or is that just a designation for other groups?
yah ….. dis be handled different
if it be synagogue ?
Correct PC commentary:
If it is grafitti or bacon smeared on a Mosque, = always a hate crime
If it is grafitti or damage to a Synagogue = sometimes a hate crime
If it is grafitti or damage to a Catholic Church = never a hate crime
Your tax dollars at work and a City Cnsl that doesn’t.
holding a workshop is one thing. I suspect a system of security cameras would be much less expensive than repairs to the windows. Plus, cameras might provide evidence against the criminals.
Crying over spilt glass. St Mary’s on the SJW Interfaith Council is far more shattering.
This kind of hate crimes have been going on for over 2000 years Jesus said it really well when they persecute you remember they persecuted me first. This is the church founded by Jesus Christ himself passed onto Peter the apostle and to this present day we have our lineage back to Jesus Christ. They can’t change that. The world hates us because we call SIN what it is! In the middle of sin is the I, these are the narcissistic people only think of themselves and don’t care about anyone else.