Bishop Michael F. Burbidge reached out to parishioners of a Reston church over the holiday weekend, in the wake of a vandalism incident two days after the Supreme Court’s ruling June 24 overturning Roe v. Wade. Several other faith communities also expressed their support for the parish.
“I was deeply saddened and concerned when I learned of the shocking vandalism and arson that occurred on your parish campus last weekend,” Bishop Burbidge said in a statement that the presider read at Masses at St. John Neumann Church over the July 4 weekend.
The vandalism consisted of a smoldering mulch fire that had been found outside the church early June 26, along with several spray-painted graffiti messages related to the ruling on the building and on the sign in front of the church. Incidents of vandalism were reported across several states the weekend after the ruling. A diocesan spokesman said the parish is working with law enforcement to review camera footage of the incident.
“As you know, police are still investigating these acts of hatred in order to determine who was responsible,” Bishop Burbidge’s statement said. “We know from the painted messages that the vandalism was a direct result of our unwavering support for unborn children and their mothers.”
Bishop Burbidge said in the statement that many Catholic churches and pro-life centers have been vandalized in the months and weeks surrounding the recent Supreme Court’s decision. He said that since May of 2020, more than 145 similar acts have occurred to Catholic parishes, schools and ministries throughout the country. “We pray for the repentance and conversion of those who committed these and similar offenses,” he said in the statement.
“We believe in the sanctity of every human life. This is fundamental to who we are as Catholics and what we believe,” he continued. “As we celebrate the Fourth of July, we thank God and all those who made the ultimate sacrifice to secure our independence, and we renew our commitment to safeguard and protect religious freedom.
“During a time such as this, as Catholics, we continue to proclaim the truths of the Gospel and to provide care and support for those who need them the most: the unborn, mothers, including women in crisis pregnancies, their families, and all vulnerable people. In addition, we must encourage our public officials to ensure protection of religious groups, as well as to protect every human life, from conception until natural death.
“In imitation of Jesus and with his grace, we are called to remain compassionate, loving, and forgiving to all people and to strive daily to promote civility and unity,” he said in the statement.
Father Joseph T. Brennan, pastor, commented on the vandalism in the parish bulletin, calling it “alarming and disturbing to all of us.”
“Vandalism of any type is unacceptable. It is also very sad,” he said. “For any faith community or place of worship to be targeted by groups that demonstrate violence and vulgarity is wrong. Thankfully, no one was hurt.”
“As a Catholic community of faith, we at St. John Neumann parish have strongly advocated for the respect and the dignity of all life from conception to natural death. We are also a welcoming faith community known for its hospitality,” Father Brennan said. “I ask that all of us take the high road of respectfulness, responding better than the way the perpetrators did to us. Let us pray for the dignity of all life, and let us also pray for civility among all citizens, especially when there is strong disagreement.”
St. John Neumann parishioner Ed Grace echoed that comment, saying he was “very saddened to hear that our parish was the target of vandalism this past weekend. … We are the parish where ‘All are welcome.’ We will continue to pray that the animosity in our country will ultimately be resolved.”
Father Brennan said the parish also received a letter from the Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation in Reston, which he said sent the letter to all of its members. He added that other area faith communities also had reached out to express support.
“There is no place in our community — or our country — for acts of hate against religious groups and institutions, regardless of political position,” said the letter from the synagogue, which was signed by two rabbis and other congregation officials.
“We may disagree on issues; nevertheless, we stand with our neighbors and friends of St. John Neumann Catholic Church, who have had their sacred space violated, and condemn those who committed this act of sinat hinam, senseless hatred,” the synagogue’s letter said.
