Washington DC: Arson, vandalism at three churches on one street

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – On a single street in Washington DC, two churches were set on fire, and another vandalized at the weekend, in attacks believed to be motivated by last month’s US Supreme Court reversal of the 1973 Roe v Wade case, which had legalized abortion, CBN News reports.

All three attacks took place on Old Georgetown Road in the early hours of Sunday morning; police reportedly believe the crimes are connected but have not officially confirmed this.

The arson attacks occurred at North Bethesda United Methodist Church and St. Jane Frances De Chantal Parish, forcing Sunday services to be held at different locations, CBN said. Wildwood Baptist Church suffered vandalism to headstones in its historic cemetery.

Concerning the arson attacks, Patricia Zapor, director of Media Relations for the Archdiocese of Washington, told CBN: “There were small attempts to burn some of the pews. Some books were shredded, and the stations of the cross were removed from the wall.”

“We are a community of faith,” Zapor added. “And we are deeply committed to resilience and recovery. This is a classic example of being tested by fire. And the St. Jane Parish community will rise and will come through this in fine form.”

In a separate statement about the attack on St Jane Parish, Rev. Samuel Giese told CBN: “We believe this is because of the church’s stance on the issue of life, when it begins and when it should be protected. And this is one of the manifestations of the deep divisions now in our country.”

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