Is hostility to religion connected to growing incidents of vandalism?

by Chuck Weber

Anti-Catholic bigotry is nothing new, but it is growing more blatantly aggressive. The manipulative exploits featuring satanic worship rituals conducted on the grounds of the Kansas Capitol, “the People’s House,” are prime examples.

Permitted by the governor and targeting Catholics, the satanic rituals were hateful and hostile. Not surprisingly, they ended with punches being thrown and multiple arrests. One wonders if such incidents would have taken place if they had involved the slurring of Muslims, Jews or other religions.

To their credit, Kansas state legislators drafted and passed nonbinding resolutions condemning the satanic worship rituals before they happened.

Precisely written to acknowledge legitimate First Amendment freedoms, Senate Resolution 1717 and House Resolution 6016 both denounced the scheduled events “as a despicable, blasphemous and offensive sacrilege to not only Catholics but all people of goodwill.” 

Thankfully, the Kansas Senate unanimously adopted SR 1717.

In a shocking development, 15 Kansas House members failed to condemn the hate and voted “no” on HR 6016. Sadly, nearly all those House members (12) represent significant numbers of Catholic constituents from the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, including metro Kansas City, Lawrence and Topeka.

One state representative from Overland Park, a member of the House Democrat leadership team, voted “no.” His district encompasses Ascension Church, scene of the infamous act of vandalism in 2022 where the church and a statue were defaced with red paint.

Another state representative, whose district includes the scene of a recent act of violent vandalism at St. Patrick Church in Wichita that included satanic overtones, also voted “no.”

Is there a connection between the not-so-subtle hostility to religion and growing incidents of vandalism and anti-Catholic, anti-Christian bigotry? The link is becoming more difficult to ignore.

As the public policy voice for the Kansas Catholic bishops, we often engage in fierce debates. Our advocacy for the protection of women and their preborn babies from the predatory abortion industry, religious freedom and defense of the integrity of the family — among other issues — will continue.

Likewise, Catholics have a responsibility to engage the political process and hold accountable the people representing them. Now is the time to let elected officials know that anti- Catholic bigotry will not be tolerated.

For a list of those who failed to condemn the acts of anti-Catholic bigotry — and the Catholic parishes in or near the districts they represent — go online to: www.KansasCatholic.org and click on the “Take Action” button.