NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — A search for answers after a New Haven church was vandalized overnight.
The pastor of Saint Joseph Church says some time between 9 p.m. Wednesday and 6 a.m. Thursday someone painted words and various symbols including a satanic marking on the outside.
On Facebook Thursday, Friarly – a collaborative effort of the Dominican Student Brothers of St. Dominic Priory in St. Louis, MO. – offered a prayer of support for the parish.
“Please say a prayer for St. Joseph’s Church, part of the Dominican St. Mary Parish – New Haven, CT; the beautiful church was vandalized last night. The friars hope to reopen the church soon, but the schedule is uncertain. Let’s together offer our prayer and support to the friars there, and the whole parish community.”
The church was shut down Thursday so it could be blessed. It’s unclear if it will reopen Friday.
RELATED: Swastika discovered outside JCC of Greater New Haven, PD investigating as hate crime
Monday, the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven released a statement condemning the vandalism and standing in solidarity with the church. They also called on the State to release “critical funding” that is set to go toward “security infrastructure upgrades at CT’s houses of worship.”
Together, the New Haven Board of Rabbis and Cantors, the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven and its Jewish Community Relations Council, condemn in the strongest possible terms the hateful act of vandalism on the doors of St. Joseph’s Church of New Haven. We stand in solidarity with our Catholic brothers and sisters at St. Joseph’s Church in the Parish of St. Mary of New Haven, and the Catholic community at large.
We understand how it feels to be a target of hate and we stand firmly with the Catholic community. As people that have suffered from hate, intolerance, and violence throughout our history, we will not stay silent watching other places of worship and religious communities attacked. An attack on the Catholic community is an attack on us all.
The Jewish community is alarmed by the increasing attacks against places of worship throughout America and the entire world.
The State of Connecticut has approved $5 million in state bonds to fund security infrastructure upgrades at Connecticut’s houses of worship, however, the monies have yet to be appropriated. We urge the state to act immediately to release this critical funding.
Let us stand together as we continue to denounce hate and violence in all its forms as we pray for peace, unity, and understanding here in New Haven and around the globe.
– Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven
Police are investigating.
