Investigation into Vandalism at California Catholic School
Federal authorities are looking into whether recent acts of vandalism at parochial schools in California are part of a broader pattern of criminal attacks on Catholic institutions. These incidents have reportedly escalated under the Biden administration, particularly following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division has begun investigating the looting that occurred at Holy Innocents Catholic School in Long Beach earlier this week, which may qualify as a hate crime. This incident involved the significant damage and destruction of a life-sized statue of the Virgin Mary.
Chief Harmeet Dhillon noted that, after an investigation by the Long Beach Police Department, officials from the local Catholic school had a chance to assess the destruction firsthand. She mentioned, “I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
Describing the scene, she stated that the Virgin Mary statue was decapitated and had its hands severed. Various religious texts were flung from shelves, and the tabernacle was forcibly opened. Further damage included a broken snack box, destroyed musical instruments, and looted audiovisual equipment. Internet services had also been interrupted, and even a small teaching doll was taken.
The principal’s son, also a student at the school, described finding the school in disarray. She expressed her devastation over the destruction of religious symbols, emphasizing, “These are items of our faith.”
This parochial school caters to around 300 students from kindergarten through 12th grade, mostly from Hispanic and Filipino backgrounds, offering an affordable education.
Long Beach police shared with reports that this was likely a “crime of opportunity” linked to a robbery, yet some suspect that there may be deeper motives at play.
A group called Catholics for Catholics posted on social media addressing the issue, stating that “the persecution of holy and innocent people continues to be real and literal.” Their leader expressed sadness over the attacks faced by the community, highlighting that these assaults on religious institutions are on the rise, though they often go unnoticed.
A tracking database maintained by Catholic Vote lists incidents across at least 43 states. Recent reports indicated a troubling trend: since May 2020, there have been at least 547 attacks against Catholic churches in the U.S., including arson, vandalism, and theft. Notably, following the Supreme Court’s draft decision on Roe v. Wade in 2022, incidents targeting Catholic institutions surged, often marked by anti-abortion graffiti and property destruction rather than theft.
While attacks on Christian churches as a whole may see a decline going forward, it appears that they will still surpass levels seen between 2018 and 2022, as suggested by a Family Research Council report. Adding to concerns, a memo from the Biden administration’s FBI suggested a rising interest in “traditionalist Catholic” extremism, which ignited widespread backlash and controversy among Catholic communities.
Despite the vandalism, Holy Innocents School continues to function; classes resumed shortly after the incident, and a mass was held in the gymnasium soon after. Many parents came to assist with cleanup efforts, showcasing community resilience. A GoFundMe page set up to address damages has already raised over $180,000 within just two days.
As investigations proceed, Long Beach police have remained tight-lipped, providing minimal details about the crime and no report about the stolen items. A statement clarified that they are still examining both the suspect and the circumstances surrounding the case.
