American Martyrs parishioners arrived at 6:45 a.m. Mass two Sundays ago to a shocking discovery. Someone had sprayed, in bright red, violent messages on the church wall and prayer walk outside.
Manhattan Beach Police Department officers were dispatched immediately and the graffiti was promptly removed. Everything was gone before Mass ended. But the shock of the incident lingered, and later in the week, Monsignor John Barry sent a message to parishioners condemning the act, but urging compassion for the perpetrators.
“My first response was not to give publicity to this kind of hate since it will only encourage these people,” Barry wrote. “But at the same time I know we must condemn these acts of vandalism and destruction which have been increasing not just in our area, but across the country.”
Barry noted that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has been tracking incidents of vandalism against the church. The 100th such act, in which satanic and other hateful graffiti was scrawled on the walls before Sunday Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver, Colorado, took place the Sunday previous to the incident at American Martyrs.
“The graffiti at our Church was at least the 101st incident, and it was no less hateful,” Barry wrote. “All of us must condemn these destructive acts and we hope the police find the perpetrators. However, I hear what the Bishops are saying, that ‘In all cases, we must reach out to the perpetrators with prayer and forgiveness. . . This destruction must stop. This is not the way.’ Let us continue to be vigilant and when we see any destructive behavior to alert our police.”
Mayor Hildy Stern condemned the act at the October 19 City Council meeting.
“There is no place for this in our community,” Stern said. “I appreciate the Police Department, which is helping American Martyrs, and helping our community to really recognize that this is an outrageous act.”
Councilperson Suzanne Hadley was livid.
“Hate has no home here in Manhattan Beach,” Hadley said. “…I am just super sad about it and hope we can find [the perpetrators], and bring them to justice. I can’t imagine, maybe there is a deeper political message. Maybe it is a hate crime. But even if it’s a stupid prank with red spray paint, it’s really disgusting. I want to express my sympathies to American Martyrs, which is an incredible community partner with us, as are all our houses of worship. They open their facilities, and are kind, and generous, and warm.” ER
