FIC Blog

That Christians are a powerful majority responsible for most of the world’s suffering appears to be a deeply held article of faith on the Left. When I last blogged on the epidemic of local Christmas creche vandalism one liberal even responded by claiming that “Most hate crimes…are committed by people and/or groups who claim affiliation with ‘christian’ groups.” In fact, no other topic provokes more negative reactions from our liberal readers than the suggestion that Christians are also the victims of bias and bigotry.

Well, it’s time for our lefty friends to warm up those keyboards and tell us again how it’s not what it looks like. There have been new instances of apparent anti-Christian vandalism in Stratford:

Religious statues at two more Main Street Nativity scenes were destroyed early Saturday, leaving parishioners, residents and clergy wondering if the wave of destruction at town creches may be more than pranks.

They are worried the mounting form of religious vandalism which has targeted Christian symbols could be the work of a cult or a deranged individual or group.

Police Sgt. Fred Wilcoxsin said Saturday that Stratford police are investigating, but had no new information.

In recent weeks, three statutes of the Baby Jesus have been stolen and other Nativity figures broken at four Stratford creches — three at churches and one at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

The latest vandalism at St. James Roman Catholic Church and Christ Episcopal Church on “All Kings Day,” commonly known as the 12th and final day of the Christmas celebration, sparked outrage and shock among parishioners at the two churches, located next to each other on Main Street.

The latest incidents also come on the heels of similar vandalism on Christmas Day when a Nativity scene built at the Knights of Columbus Hall by a member with religious statutes in his family for 50 years were smashed.

Also on Christmas, an angel in a creche at Our Lady of Grace Church on Second Hill Lane was broken. A Baby Jesus statue at that creche had also been stolen in early December.

The latest destruction, believed to have occurred about 3 a.m. Saturday, also came on the day St. Episcopal Church celebrated its 300th Anniversary with its Yule Fest.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but things are starting to get weird and a little scary. I don’t think it’s young kids,” said Dianne March, a member of St. James Church who grew up in Stratford and now resides in Milford. “Why are they taking all these Baby Jesus statues and smashing everything else? This sounds like it could be some kind of cult. I can’t help wondering.” The Rev. Thomas Lynch, pastor at St. James Church, said, “It was terrible to come out this morning and find the wonderful new statues from our creche broken up and scattered all over the parking lot and the baby Jesus statue missing.” “At this point I would say it could be a cult, or a group of people or person very angry and looking to lash out,” Lynch said. “The creche represents God’s love breaking into the human story.” Lynch said he is trying to inspire parishioners to see a deeper meaning. “Let’s just pick up the pieces and get on with our lives. It really symbolizes that sometimes things in your life get broken, but you can’t let anger, or hostility, or vengeance get in the way,” he said. “It’s very sad, and we must pray for them and that they are apprehended.”

Remember, though, we have it on the good word of our liberal correspondents that something like this could not possibly be motivated by anti-Christian bias. Nor, presumably, were the dead of night attacks on FIC banners displayed by pro-family churches. Nor the death threat made against local Catholic lobbyist Marie Hilliard for opposing civil union legislation. And on and on…