Here is a news release from the Catholic League who have been tracking nativity scenes that have been vandalized this year here in the United States. This is stunning.
Contact: Susan A. Fani, Director of Communications, Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, 212-371-3191, catalyst@catholicleague.org
NEW YORK, Dec. 22 /Christian Newswire/ — Every year we are flooded with reports from across the nation about nativity scenes being vandalized. This year was no different.
Here is a list of some of the incidents that came to our attention:
In Sandusky, Ohio a 50-year old figure of the Baby Jesus was stolen from a downtown park; it was found a few days later hanging from a ceiling fan in the apartment of the thief who stole it
A Christian pastor in Loma Linda, California was beaten and left in critical condition while decorating his church
In Orange County, Florida a Christian church’s drive-through nativity scene was completely demolished by vandals
The Blessed Virgin figure was stolen from a nativity scene in front of a home in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Twice within a couple of weeks, the crèche in Norwood, Massachusetts was vandalized
A drive-through nativity built by a Christian church in Stone Mountain, Georgia was destroyed
In Waggaman, Louisiana, a 38-year old man, accompanied by two boys, trashed Christmas decorations at five homes
A 50-year old statue of a shepherd was beheaded in a nativity scene in downtown Kingsport, Tennessee
The Holy Family was stolen from a crèche outside of a home in New Albany, Indiana
The nativity scene in front of a Christian church in Christoval, Texas was splattered with red paint
Figures of the Baby Jesus were stolen from homes or churches in Memphis, Tennessee; Littlestown, Pennsylvania; Valrico, California; Akron, Ohio; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Andover, New York; Sumter, South Carolina; St. Charles, Illinois; Moberly, Missouri; Lehighton, Pennsylvania; Bismarck, North Dakota; Omaha, Nebraska; Paw Paw, Michigan; North Richland Hills, Texas; Eureka Springs, Arkansas; and Independence Mall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Catholic League is the nation’s largest Catholic civil rights organization. Founded in 1973 by the late Father Virgil C. Blum, S.J., the Catholic League defends the right of Catholics – lay and clergy alike – to participate in American public life without defamation or discrimination.
