Face of evil: Catholic Church named after St. Patrick vandalized with Satanic message
Federal and local authorities are investigating a possible hate crime after a Catholic Church named after St.Patrick was discovered with “extensive vandalism,” including a Satanic message in Wichita, Kansas.Police arrested a 23-year-old man in relation to the case, but authorities are continuing their investigation.The damage included the beheading of a statue of St.
Patrick, the breaking of candles and windows, and the burning of an American flag.The vandalism also included a Satanic website being scrawled onto the Church’s wall, according to a statement by the Catholic Conference of Kansas.The Catholic conference responded to the incident by saying, “This is the face of evil.”The conference said the website is the same type of group that will be holding a Satanic worship ritual at the Kansas State Capitol on March 28.Church members could not hold services on Saturday due to the attack, the conference said in a post that included pictures of the damage.“This is the hate crime scene at St.
Patrick Catholic Church in Wichita.After forcing their way inside, statues were destroyed, glass smashed and other extensive damage exacted upon this sacred space,” said the conference.The Wichita Police Department also released a statement in which it said it is working with federal law enforcement to launch a “full-scale investigation.”According to the statement, police arrested a suspect in connection with the attack, a 23-year-old man from Saline County, at 2:20 a.m.
on Sunday.Local outlet Salina Post identified the man as Michael Angel Gonzalez, citing Sedgwick County booking records.The man was arrested without incident and was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on charges of Burglary, Criminal Desecration, and Criminal Damage to Property.
The police said the case will be presented to the Sedgwick County district attorney and federal prosecutors for formal charging considerations.Speaking at the scene, Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan called ...