WARNING: The above video features graffiti with inappropriate language.
The Diocese of Lansing, Michigan, is calling attention to vandalism that took place at the Church of the Resurrection on October 9. The incident highlights the tensions caused by similar occurrences at churches and pro-life pregnancy centers in recent months.
Video released by the Diocese of Lansing shows the property tagged with spray paint from the sidewalk to the facade. The graffiti bears threatening phrases like, “Is overturning Roe worth your life or your Democracy?” and “Death to Christian nationalism.” Some of the phrases contained obscenities.
One parishioner commented on the defacement:
“I’m just really hurt and sorrowful that people would have vandalized our place of worship, our church. Ya know, abortion is an act of violence against a vulnerable human. The fact that the people are proponents of abortion are then using violence against other people just shows that this is a violent movement.”
Investigation
At the time of the diocese’s statement, police were still going through the parish’s security footage as part of their investigation, but there have since been further developments. In a Twitter post, CNA’s Joe Bukuras revealed that the cameras caught footage of the vandalism in progress.
In the video, three hooded individuals can be seen approaching the church and setting about their mischief. They drew cans of spray paint out of bags and two of them began to write on the ground while the third went up the steps to paint inverted crosses on the doors. Several cars can be seen driving past the vandals, but unfortunately none of the drivers appeared to have contacted the police to report the crime in progress.
According to Bukuras’ report for CNA, the vandalism caused damages estimated at $15,000. Father Steve Mattson, the church’s pastor, expressed his displeasure over the incident, but he noted that he and his flock have already forgiven the perpetrators. He told CNA:
“To whoever vandalized the sign, we forgive you and we’re praying for you.’”
And today we celebrate...