Bishop Mark Eckman by Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh / Facebook
Bishop Mark Eckman of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, condemned the recent vandalism at Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Pleasant Hills, calling the attack “hateful” and “deeply painful” in a July 19 statement.
The vandalism occurred between July 8 and 9 at Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Church, part of Triumph of the Holy Cross Parish, which serves Pittsburgh’s Baldwin neighborhoods. Vandals defaced a Virgin Mary statue, a commemorative plaque, and a convent door with anti-Catholic and anti-Semitic graffiti, KDKA reported.
“It is with great sorrow that I address the hateful vandalism at Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Church,” Bishop Eckman said. “The anti-Catholic and anti-Semitic messages left behind have wounded not only the people of this parish but every member of our diocesan family.”
The diocese also released photos of the defaced property with the hope that it might “prompt someone in the community to come forward with information that may assist investigators in identifying those responsible.”
“This holy place, meant for prayer, community, and the merciful presence of God has been violated in a deeply painful way,” the bishop said.
According to KDKA, the FBI is now leading the investigation after Baldwin Borough police reported the incident. The bishop said that the diocese is cooperating fully with authorities.
“I am grateful for their swift and thorough attention to this matter,” Bishop Eckman said. “To the faithful who feel shaken, and to all in our wider community, know that your pain is shared, and my prayers are with you for comfort and healing.”
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