Violence Continues Nationwide . . . Catholic Church In Denver Shot Up
By MICAIAH BILGER
DENVER (LifeNews) — Police in Colorado are searching for a gunman who shot bullet holes into a Denver-area Catholic church on Saturday, August 6 and again Monday, August 8, the latest in a growing crime wave targeting churches and pro-life organizations.
Catholic News Agency reports both shootings occurred in the early morning when no one was at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, so only the building was harmed.
Deacon Derrick Johnson told CNA that the gunman caused approximately $75,000 worth of damage to the doors and windows.
“We are praying for the conversion of whoever did this,” Johnson said.
The Adams County Sheriff’s Office is investigating, according to the report.
The first shooting occurred early that Saturday morning, and Johnson said they later found bullet holes in the front doors, door frame, and a window. Then, on that Monday, he said they found another new bullet hole in a window.
Authorities have some evidence about the perpetrator already. Johnson told CNA that a security camera caught “a single motorcyclist shooting what we believe to be a pistol as he drove by” early Saturday morning.
He said they do not think the gunman was targeting people, just the building, but they plan to increase security.
The parish also has a Catholic school located on the property. Johnson said school has not started yet, but they plan to take “the highest security precautions” once the children return, according to the report.
While the motive for the latest crime is not clear, American churches and pro-life organizations have experienced a growing wave of arson, vandalism, threats, and harassment since May when a leaked U.S. Supreme Court ruling showed the justices overturning Roe v. Wade. LifeNews has documented more than 100 incidents since the leak.
Over that weekend, another Catholic church in New York City also experienced hostility. City police arrested five abortion activists for allegedly harassing pro-life Catholics at the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, the Daily Mail reported.
The crime wave has many pro-life organizations increasing security and Republican lawmakers demanding action from the Biden administration to crack down on the growing domestic terrorism. The FBI announced an investigation into the pro-abortion violence in June, but many believe the Biden administration and Democrat leaders are not doing enough to stop the violence.
In July, U.S. House Democrats blocked a resolution condemning the violence.