Read the Signs of the Time, and Understand What They Signify
It’s not even news anymore. Attacks against Catholic churches have been on the rise for the past couple of years in Europe, North America, and elsewhere. While attacks against the (uppercase C) Church have been increasing over at least the past two decades—socially, civilly, and in the public sphere—attacks on parish churches and property have become the next manifestation of the world’s hostility to Truth, and the “Pillar and foundation of Truth,” the Catholic Church. It’s a sign of the times. But what exactly does it signify?
Recently two arrests have been made in separate vandalism incidents at Catholic Churches in the Diocese of Brooklyn. As reported on CNA,
“At Resurrection Church in Brooklyn, a white marble statue of the Blessed Mother was spray-painted with black graffiti on her face, shoulders, and hands.
The word ‘fake’”’ was written on the statue as well as what appears to be an upside-down cross, a symbol not seldomly seen in vandalism incidents on Catholic sites.”
“Another incident occurred on Saturday at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Astoria by the same man who allegedly desecrated the church in early June.
On July 8, Jaime Bonilla walked into the church and began ‘acting erratically, disturbing the youth choir practice, and frightening the children,’ the diocese said in a statement Saturday.”
And in France, a 16th Century Catholic Church was burned to the ground. See the video below.
BREAKING
— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) July 7, 2023
FRANCE
A 16th century Catholic Church has been burnt to the ground
The steeple of Eglise Notre Dame Drosnay can be seen collapsing on video. French churches are being destroyed every week pic.twitter.com/BlvJHURkMX
Attacks on Catholic churches across France have increased “fivefold” in the past ten years. According to France’s central criminal intelligence unit, there were 877 attacks on churches in 2018 alone. There is also this story from CNA, which reports that,
Trend Setting
But arson attacks on churches are the disturbing exception to the norm. The usual pattern of attacks I’ve observed over the past few years is they target statues or artwork of the Blessed Mother, Eucharistic vessels, or the Holy Eucharist itself. (Continue Reading for Free on Substack)
