Pray for this parish!
Unknown vandals destroyed 40 of 61 pro-life memorial crosses and stacked them in two piles on Oct. 12 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Buckingham, Pa. The crosses commemorate the millions of unborn children killed since the legalization of abortion after the 1973 Supreme Court decision of Roe vs. Wade.
The vandals also stole two signs saying “stop surgical abortions.”
Pastor Msgr. Joseph Gentili wrote a letter to his parishioners regarding the horrific incident. He explained that this crime is one of two acts of vandalism occurring on the church’s campus over the past two weeks. The first act destroyed an outdoor Rite of Christian Initiation sign.
Msgr. Gentili said he reported both incidents to the local police department. It was filed as a hate crime, as well as trespassing and destruction of property. He also said they installed more than 40 security cameras across the church’s campus.
“I can assure you that should the perpetrator(s) be caught, they will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” Msgr. Gentili said in his letter.
The pastor also encouraged his parishioners to keep fighting for the dignity of human life, and requested prayer for the criminal(s).
“I along with Father Ianelli assure you of a continued deep commitment to fight for the dignity and respect that is accorded to all human life.
“We will continue to encourage you to join us in that struggle through all possible and appropriate means: by engaging our legislators and other authorities, by voting and making our voices heard, by faithfully proclaiming and authentically living our Catholic Social Teachings in the public square and by prayer.”
“I also encourage you to pray for the one or those responsible for committing this heinous crime. Pray for a conversion of heart and reconciliation. Please pray for me as your pastor as well, that despite my many shortcomings, I will continue to boldly lead our parish in the Tradition of our Catholic Faith.”
The parish’s social media accounts also announced a Rosary Rally responding “to the hate crime that occurred at our memorial cross display…”
Here’s the Instagram post below:
The photo’s caption reads, “Join us for a Rosary Rally for Life this Saturday, October 19 at noon. It will be held at the corner where our memorial crosses are placed (the intersection of Durham and Cold Spring Creamery Roads).
“All are highly encouraged to attend this powerful public witness to the sacredness of all human life and the freedom of religion. The rally is in response to the hate crime that occurred at our memorial cross display this past weekend.”
Let us join Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in prayer, even if we cannot physically attend Saturday’s rally.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, please pray for us!
[See also: “I Just Got Spit On”: Pro-Abortion Mob Attacks Pro-Lifers on College Campus in D.C. (Video Inside)]
[See also: “Fear Not”: 5 Reasons to Keep Your Unborn Baby]