Photos by Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh
The Diocese of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has released photos of anti-Catholic and anti-semitic vandalism that occurred at a local church July 9, hoping that anyone who has information about the incident will assist in identifying the perpetrator.
According to the images, the vandal spraypainted symbols on a statue of the Blessed Mother and defaced buildings on the property of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church, which is part of Triumph of the Holy Cross Parish. TribLIVE reported that the vandalized buildings included the bell tower and the door of a former convent on the property.
The FBI has opened an investigation into the incident, and the diocese has decried the vandalism, calling the spraypainted symbols and words “deeply disturbing.” The diocese also urged the public to help bring the vandal to justice.
“The parishioners of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary and our entire diocesan family are heartbroken over this hateful act,” Bishop Mark Eckman stated July 21. “I ask the faithful to join me in praying for comfort and peace, and I urge anyone with information, no matter how small it may seem, to contact the FBI.”
According to TribLIVE, Bishop Eckman was formally installed as the bishop of Pittsburgh July 14. The announcement that Pope Leo XIV had appointed him to serve as the next bishop of the diocese came in early June. After the vandalism was discovered in early July, Bishop Eckman had released a statement saying that it “wounded not only the people of this parish but every member of our diocesan family.”
“This holy place, meant for prayer, community, and the merciful presence of God has been violated in a deeply painful way,” he had stated at the time, TribLIVE reported.
The Pittsburgh chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) also advocated for the Catholic parish, expressing concern that specific religions were targeted.
“No faith community should ever have to face this kind of hatred,” Christine Mohamed, executive director of CAIR in Pittsburgh, stated, according to TribLIVE. “We stand in full solidarity with our Catholic and Jewish neighbors and welcome the FBI’s investigation into this incident. Hate has no place in Pittsburgh — or anywhere.”
According to CatholicVote’s tracker of violence against churches, the vandalism at St. Elizabeth was the 34th attack on US Catholic churches this year and the 514th attack since May 2020.
