Vandalism is a hate crime, nativity defender suggests

Vandalism is a hate crime, nativity defender suggests
Catholic leader cites 'devil horns' put on baby Jesus figure
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Posted: December 22, 2006
1:00 a.m. Eastern

© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com

A prominent Catholic leader says a rolling wave of vandalism to nativity scenes across the country this year isn't really vandalism: it's a series of hate crimes.

"The vandals in Norwalk, Connecticut, gave us an idea," said Catholic League President William Donohue. "Not only did they trash a nativity scene, they wrote profanity and drew satanic symbols on one of the figures. This isn't the act of some crazy drunks – it is the act of hate-filled persons."

There have been dozens, perhaps hundreds, of incidents of damage to nativity displays this Christmas season, officials have confirmed. "Some of these attacks were clearly motivated by malice," Donohoe continue. "The baby Jesus figure stolen in Plaistow, N.H., was later returned, having been defiled by a pair of devil horns. In Sioux Falls, S.D., someone crushed the face of the statue of Jesus.

"What's worse, the creep in Des Moines, Iowa, burned Jesus' face, doused the statue with red nail polish, and twisted the electrical cord around its neck," he said.

He said his organization has tabulated nearly four dozen attacks on the Christian holiday displays.

So far, under the Catholic League's compilation, there have been thefts from or vandalism on nativity scenes in Tucson, Ariz. ; Millbrae, Calif.; Mission Viejo, Calif; Moorpark, Calif; San Francisco, Calif; Naugatuck, Conn.; Waterbury, Conn. (Jesus was taken, but one of the arms was left behind); Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; Des Moines, Iowa; Sioux City, Iowa; Ammon, Idaho; Chicago, Ill. (32 figures of baby Jesus were nabbed—they were later dumped on the lawn of a Catholic church); Jackson County, Ill. (two incidents); Tinley Park, Ill.; Floyd County, Ind.; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Montgomery County, Ind.; Wichita, Kan.; Hardin, Ky.; Lafayette, La. (two incidents); Youngsville, La.; Fitchburg, Mass.; Southborough, Mass.; Winthrop, Maine; Portage Township, Mich.; Fayettville, N.C.; New Bern, N.C.; Columbus, Neb. (12 baby Jesus figures were stolen in one day); Plaistow, N.H.; Dover, Ohio; Utica, Ohio (three incidents); Artemis, Pa.; Bucks County, Pa.; Greenfield, Pa.; Hilton Head, S.C.; Halom City, Texas; Santa Fe, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; Winfield, W.Va. and West Allis, Wis.

Some of the cases have been straightforward to solve. In Kansas, for example, a member of a pro-life organization had placed a nativity display on a strip of public land near the clinic of late-term abortionist George Tiller, and one of his workers found it "offensive" and moved it behind fence on the clinic's property.

Others remain under investigation by police, including a case in Draper, Utah. There reporters were told a picture of King Herod was taped to the nativity scene, blindfolds were put on Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus was stolen.

An accompanying note said, "King Herod has taken your baby Jesus," Pastor Harry Berg of Draper Friends Christian Church, said.

Police there are investigating it as a hate crime.

Donohue said the "hooligan" who stole a manger in Southborough, Mass., left the surrounding secular decorations untouched.

"In a few days it will be Christmas, and I imagine that, in your homes, you are putting the final touches to your nativity scenes, which are such an evocative depiction of Christmas," said Pope Benedict XVI in a statement. "I hope that this important element, not only of our spirituality but also of our culture and art, may endure as a simple and eloquent way to remember the One Who came 'to dwell among us.'"

There's even a LordNapping.com website for those who take baby Jesus figurines.

The site argues that the thefts should be celebrated and seen as acts of liberation – as long as the statues are placed in an inn for Christmas.

Authorities are using unusual methods to punish those who taken the statues, too. In Ohio, Brian Patrick and Jessica Lange, each 19, had been ordered to lead a donkey through the town of Fairport Harber after they admitted defacing a statue of baby Jesus from a nativity at St. Anthony's Catholic Church.

Police there said in that case the baby Jesus was stabbed and the numerals "666" were painted on it.

In one town a 70-year-old grandmother stole the infant Jesus on a lark.

The Catholic League is the nation's biggest Catholic civil rights organization, and defends individual Catholics and the institutional church from defamation and discrimination.