Hate Crime Investigation Launched After Church Vandalized
Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., is examining recent vandalism of Catholic symbols on campus as a potential hate crime amid growing concerns about the targeting of religious institutions.
On August 30, Georgetown’s Associate Vice President for Public Safety, Jay Gruber, and Vice President for Mission & Ministry, Rev. Mark Bosco, informed the campus community about the vandalism. They reported that a large processional crucifix in the Dahlgren Chapel of the Sacred Heart had been moved and damaged, being placed against a door. The chapel, described as a “sacred space,” is significant to the university community for various religious rites and moments of reflection.
The letter also noted that a statue of the Blessed Mother near the Heyden Observatory and Gardens was found displaced and lying on the ground. The university has not yet determined the motives behind these acts or whether the perpetrators are affiliated with the university.
Surveillance footage revealed a light-complexioned male wearing a dark hoodie and pants entering the chapel around 11:40 p.m. the night before the discovery. Georgetown University Police Department is investigating these incidents as possible hate crimes. University officials condemned these acts as “deeply concerning, hurtful, and offensive,” emphasizing that vandalism of sacred spaces is unacceptable.
In response, Georgetown is increasing patrols of religious areas on campus but assured that these incidents will not impact the availability of religious services at Dahlgren Chapel. The university is also seeking information from anyone who may have details about the incidents.
The vandalism at Georgetown is part of a broader pattern of anti-Catholic acts, with the advocacy group CatholicVote tracking 451 instances of such vandalism since May 2020. These incidents have escalated alongside debates over abortion rights, particularly following the release of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2022, which overturned Roe v. Wade and intensified targeted attacks on religious institutions opposed to abortion.
Regardless of your religion in this case the religious community or any other vandalism! Vandalism isn’ acceptable under any circumstances. I hope that you find out who did it and that they are held accountable and prosecuted for the crime.
Please don’t print my name or Gmail address.