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Saturday, Aug 15, 2020

Has vandalism of Catholic church property increased in recent months?

Christopher Hutton, Gigafact Foundry
yes

In the days and weeks following nationwide protests provoked by the killing of George Floyd, vandals have damaged a number of Catholic statues and monuments. Apparent motives for attacks have varied and there is no evidence of any coordination. Complicit Clergy, an activist Catholic lay group, has compiled a map of various attacks based on user reporting.

In Sacramento, a statue of Junípero Serra, the 18th-century missionary canonized in 2015, was torn down by protestors motivated by their understanding of his role in colonial California. In Rhode Island, a man was caught painting swastikas on the gravesites of former friars.

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