Two More Anti-Catholic Attacks: Church in El Paso and School in Denver

“There’s no doubt about giving them forgiveness. I was often thinking that the police statues are going to be justice. But if we get ahold of you, it’s going to be mercy,” he said.

F*** religion,' 'Satans watching,' '666,' and an upside down cross were drawn on the side of Annunciation Catholic School in Denver in June.
F*** religion,' 'Satans watching,' '666,' and an upside down cross were drawn on the side of Annunciation Catholic School in Denver in June. (photo: Courtesy photo / Annunciation Catholic Church)

Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in northeast El Paso, Texas, was vandalized on July 17.

The parish did not release information about the vandalism, citing an ongoing investigation by the El Paso Police Department. 

“The Most Holy Trinity Catholic Community and Diocese of El Paso [wish] to thank our local law enforcement for their attention in regard to this matter. We ask for your prayers for all involved as we continue to work with law enforcement on this matter,” the church said in a Facebook post Monday.

According to the El Paso Times, a police unit that investigates hate crimes is on the case.

A month ago, on June 16, two vandals were caught on camera drawing anti-Catholic graffiti on the walls of Annunciation Catholic School in Denver. 

“F*** religion,” “Satans watching,” “666,” and an upside-down cross were drawn on the side of the school building. 

Father Charles Polifka, OFM Cap, pastor of the school’s affiliated church, told CNA Wednesday that his message to the vandals is one of “forgiveness.” 

“So many people are not getting the message of what we teach or they’re not getting a message of the Gospel at all,” he said.

“They’re not getting a message of peace. They’re not getting a message of reconciliation or anything like that. It’s all violence that they’re getting. They’re getting it from their music, they’re getting it from everywhere except from the Church,” he said.

“And I think that’s what causes it,” he added.

“There’s no doubt about giving them forgiveness. I was often thinking that the police statues are going to be justice. But if we get ahold of you, it’s going to be mercy,” he said.

In July, two arrests were made in separate incidents of vandalism at Catholic churches in the Diocese of Brooklyn, New York. 

Another attack on a Catholic church in Miami occurred in early June, resulting in the arrest of a 44-year-old woman who allegedly spray-painted the words “perverts,” “pigs,” “liars,” and an upside-down cross on the church wall, a sign, and columns within the courtyard of the church’s school.

In May, a 41-year-old woman was arrested and charged in connection with causing more than $78,000 in damages in an arson attack at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines, Illinois.

Pope Francis waves from a balcony at Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Sunday, March 23, 2025, following weeks of hospitalization for bilateral pneumonia.

Pope Francis Returns to the Vatican

Pope Francis returned to the Vatican last Sunday and is expected now to face two months of rest and recovery. Is this a new phase in his pontificate? This week on Register Radio, we talk to Frank Rocca, EWTN News Senior Vatican Analyst. And, as we move closer to Holy Week, the Register has taken a long look at the “Art of Holy Week.” We are joined by Dominican Sister Mary Madeline Todd from Aquinas College and a contributor to our coverage.