Posted on 02/22/2008 8:09:39 AM PST by 2banana
Vandalism occurs after appearance of 'demons'
By MATT COUGHLIN Bucks County Courier Times
Two "demons" made an appearance at a Tullytown church a few weeks ago, according to the pastor.
The two walked into St. Michael the Archangel Church on Levittown Parkway in Tullytown about five and a half weeks ago and introduced themselves as "demons," Rev. Michael C. DiIorio said Tuesday.
DiIorio said the two individuals, whom he declined to describe, walked around after Sunday Mass asking to speak with the pastor. When parishioners pointed DiIorio out, the two walked up to him and said they were "demons" and wanted him to know they’d moved into the area.
"The boldness of it," DiIorio said of his surprise. "To come up and introduce themselves to you in that way."
He said he’s aware of Satanic graffiti and symbols, but this is the first time he’s heard of a demonic or Satanic group actually introducing themselves.
DiIorio said he put the incident at St. Michael’s out of his mind right after it happened until vandalism was found at the church.
In the past two weeks, lewd words have been carved into the church doors and a petition book on the altar of the Blessed Mother was defaced. On Friday the church received a letter in the rectory mail that contained threats. The church campus was evacuated — the school was out for teacher meetings — because police believed it should be taken seriously.
The Tullytown church isn’t the only one that’s been hit by vandals in recent weeks.
Two weekends ago, Our Lady of Perpetual Help on the 1700 block of Woodbourne Road was marked with a large amount of graffiti that included sayings like "God is dead," and green spray paint covered the face of Our Lady of Fatima shrine in the church’s front yard. A phallic symbol was painted on the church’s front door and the head of a broken lamb statue was left on the doorstep.
Middletown police said they are still investigating the incident. Police have not said the two incidents are related and noted that the vandalism is different in each case.
DiIorio said there was another suspicious incident Sunday at St. Joseph the Worker in Falls. The pastor there, Rev. Donald C. Birch said a man wearing a shirt with a pentagram and other symbols wanted to enter the church Sunday afternoon. Birch said the man repeatedly told two parishioners that he wanted in to the church but the doors were locked. Eventually the man left, Birch said. Falls police said they have not received a report of the incident.
Activities have returned to normal at St. Michael’s, DiIorio said Tuesday inside the rectory as a softball meeting took place in the school gym.
DiIorio said he is cooperating with local and county police. He said his primary concern is the safety of the parishioners and the school children, but he is also praying for the people committing the vandalism.
"We are praying for these people that they would turn away from this bad road they’ve been heading on."
Matt Coughlin can be reached at 215-949-4172 or mcoughlin@phillyBurbs.com.
Most likely - two meth heads wanting some attention. Can I use these "demons" for some crash dummies for some combatives (hand-to-hand) refreshers and give them all the attention they want?
I would have sprinkled them with Holy Water and watched them burst into flame.
Or they might be evangelicals. There was a spate of statue destructions in Brooklyn and the cops finally found out it was an evangelical who was taking the “Graven Images” a bit too seriously.
“We are praying for these people that they would turn away from this bad road they’ve been heading on.”
That’s a good start.
Now, organize a 24hr watch detail from the parishioners.
Use whatever force becomes necessary to detain the “demons” for the police.
Please allow me to introduce myself,
I’m a man of wealth and fame...
Once again, Democrat Party Church outreach backfires.
Excellent!
That picture makes them all look gay.
At a pro-life march, I saw a small group of scruffy people holding signs that read (I'm not making this up), "Kill Jesus" and "Eat Babies."
Someone was arrested this morning. A woman. Just heard it on the radio. Not sure which act of vandalism, but they are investigating to see if she is involved in other acts too.
Ooo...ouch. Hermione looks cute, but the other two...not so much.
They wouldn’t be the first unclean spirits to have a beef with Michael the Archangel.
True.
One can’t help but wonder if a demon can be saved...
Nope, Amish.
Or they might be evangelicals. There was a spate of statue destructions in Brooklyn and the cops finally found out it was an evangelical who was taking the “Graven Images” a bit too seriously.
No, the 'evangelical' (you probably meant - 'fundamentalist') would never introduce themselves as 'demons'.
Also, I find it hard to believe that a 'fundamentalist' - although despising Graven images - would destroy someone else's property. But there are mentally ill people all over, of various stripes, - so who knows...
Sounds like a hate crime.
You got THAT right!
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