Pipe bombs, Molotov cocktails, and arson are just a few of the many ways people have attacked churches. 

Since 2020, at least 342 attacks, with some estimates indicating over 400, have occurred against Catholic churches in the U.S. According to the Family Research Council, “acts of hostility” against all churches doubled from 2022 to 2023. The number of hostile acts in 2023 was eight times higher than in 2018.

In today’s world, we often scorn the past as a time of violence and see ourselves as more advanced, civilized, and peaceful. As U.S. citizens, we have long viewed ourselves as the people who bear the torch of freedom. Freedom to speak our minds, bear arms, and worship as we please. Under these ideals, the U.S. has become a melting pot of people with different beliefs from across the world. Yet, its status as a land of religious refuge has not made it immune from persecution.  

Christianity is, perhaps surprisingly, the most persecuted religion in the world. In America, violence against Christian, especially Catholic, churches have seen a sharp increase in recent years. (READ MORE: Moms for America Designated a ‘Hate Group’ by Southern Poverty Law Center)

Major civil unrest began in May 2020 during the height of the pandemic after the death of George Floyd. Riots and protests sprung up across the U.S. and around the world. The situation quickly spiraled out of control as what began as protests morphed into general mayhem. People took the opportunity to loot businesses and burn buildings before turning their attention to the churches. (READ MORE: Pro-Palestinian Protestors Light the American Flag on Fire in Philadelphia)

Attacks on Catholic churches have continued to rise, tripling in number from 2020 to 2022. Before Roe v. Wade was overturned, the threat against the churches became so serious that the Department of Homeland Security issued a warning to the United States Council of Catholic Bishops stating that if the Supreme Court overturned Roe, there would be “credible threats to the safety of Catholic churches, clergy. 

The group Jane’s Revenge planned a “Night of Rage” in response to the ruling, calling for people to go out at 8 p.m. to “make your anger known.” The group is well-known for claiming, “If abortion isn’t safe, you aren’t either. We are everywhere.” When it comes to churches, their preferred form of destruction is vandalism and their favorite threat is “abort the church.” (READ MORE: Massachusetts Launches Public Education Campaign Against Pregnancy Centers)

The attacks on Catholic churches have, thankfully, consisted mostly of property damage rather than of attacks on church-goers and clergy. Few thefts have occurred, indicating that material gain is not the primary motive of the attacks.

Some attacks are meant to terrorize and intimidate. Perpetrators have stolen Holy Communion and set off Molotov cocktails, pipe bombs, and other homemade weapons in Catholic churches. 

Other attacks have been in response to the political atmosphere. The George Floyd attacks and the reversal of Roe v. Wade both had a hand in the increase of attacks on churches. (READ MORE: Vatican Denounces Olympic Opening Ceremony)

The number of assaults on all churches peaked in June 2023 on the one-year anniversary of the reversal of Roe v. Wade. Pro-abortion attacks have included the destruction of pro-life displays, including a monument to the unborn at St. Rosalia Catholic Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and 1,000 wooden crosses representing aborted children at Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Church in Elmhurst, Illinois.

Numerous groups of people have joined in on the attacks. Although the attackers don’t necessarily define the groups they are a part of, it’s important to note where they come from.

Black Lives Matter protesters attacked Catholic churches and property during the unrest in 2020. In 48 hours, from July 10–12, 2020, four buildings or statues belonging to Catholic churches were attacked. Incidents have included, but are not limited to, arson and the beheading of the Virgin Mary in Chattanooga, Tennessee. (READ MORE: BLM’s (Reverse) Marxist Makeover)

Transgender activists have also vandalized churches. The phrase “TRANS PWR” was sprayed on St. Joseph Catholic church in Louisville in March of last year. (READ MORE: The Politics of Patrisse Cullors, Founder of Black Lives Matter)

Satanists have attacked churches with vandalism too. In 2023, the Most Holy Trinity Catholic church in El Paso, Texas, was spray-painted with the numbers “666” and upside-down crosses in multiple places, including the tabernacle, which houses the Eucharist. Holy oil was also dumped across the church.

Still more vandalism has been committed by Neo-Nazis. Swastikas have been found on many churches, including some in Washington D.C. and San Francisco.

Hamas, or at least a man claiming to be part of the Islamic terrorist group, entered Sacred Heart Church in central New York and threatened employees with “mass harm” less than a week after the October attacks on Israel. (READ MORE: Governance in Gaza and the West Bank: What to Know)

Hearteningly, Jeff Ludwikowski, a trial lawyer turned deacon of one of the largest parishes in Pennsylvania, told The American Spectator, “The Church has always done well, has always thrived under hardship, and it has always been under hardship. We are never going to pick the easy road. We are never going to be popular, and we should never expect to be. Attacks are only going to strengthen our faith. We should never expect to not be attacked.”

So far in 2024, there have already been 50 attacks on Catholic churches. It would be much less dangerous to cease taking a stand and quietly fade into the background. It would be easy to cower and wonder if we should lock up the churches and quiet the homilies. 

Pope Saint John Paul II reminds us, however, “Do not be afraid! Open wide the doors!”