Federal and local authorities investigate a possible hate crime after a Catholic Church that was then mentioned St. Patrick Was discovered with ‘extensive vandalism’, including a satanic message in Wichita, Kansas.
The police arrested a 23-year-old man in connection with the case, but the authorities continue their investigation.
The damage included the decapitation of a statue of St. Patrick, the breaking of candles and windows and the burning of an American flag. Vandalism also included a satanic website that was scribbled on the wall of the church, according to a statement from the Catholic Conference of Kansas.
The Catholic conference responded to the incident by saying, “This is the face of evil.”
The conference said that the website is the same type of group that will keep a satanic worship ritual on the Kansas State Capitol on March 28.
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The damage included the decapitation of a statue of St. Patrick, the breaking of candles and windows and the burning of an American flag. (AP/Wikimedia Commons)
Church members could not hold services on Saturday because of the attack, the conference said in a post with photos of the damage.
“This is the hate crime scene in St. Patrick Catholic Church In Wichita. After they had forced their way inside, images were destroyed, glass and other extensive damage that demanded itself on this holy space, “said the conference.
The Wichita Police Department has also released a statement in which it said that it cooperates with federal law enforcement to start a “full investigation”.
According to the statement, the police arrested a suspect in connection with the attack, a 23-year-old man from Saline County, at 2:20 am on Sunday. Local outlet Salina Post The man identified as Michael Angel Gonzalez, referring to Sedgwick County Booking Records.
Speaking on the spot, Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan called the attack “disgusting,” and said, “It doesn’t matter what denomination. People must feel safe there, and they must feel that it is a place that would be respected. “ (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, file)
The man was arrested without incidents and was booked in the prison of Sedgwick County for accusation of burglary, criminal desecration and criminal damage to properties. The police said the case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney and federal prosecutors for formal considerations.
On the spot, the police chief Joe Sullivan of Wichita spoke the attack ‘disgusting’, according to the local outlet KSNW.
“It doesn’t matter what denomination. People should feel safe there, and they must feel that it is a place that would be respected,” he said.
Sullivan said, “This reprehensible act of vandalism will not be tolerated.”
Despite the attack, church members held a St. Patrick’s Day parade in the parish on Sunday. (Photo by Joseph Prezioso / AFP)
Despite the attack, Sullivan placed on Sunday that the church – which is predominantly Spanish – held a St. Patrick’s Day parade.
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“This afternoon I went to St. Patrick Catholic Church St. Paddy’s Day Parade, where the municipality and the community came together in the celebration,” he said. “Their resilience was clear, especially after the heartbreaking burglary and vandalism that took place yesterday.”
He added: “It was even more useful to know that the suspect responsible for this terrible act was taken into detention before sunrise, thanks to the fast and dedicated work of WPD officers. Great work for our team to get him from the streets and behind the bars!”
