Has vandalism of Catholic church property increased in recent months?
By Christopher Hutton
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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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