Posted on 06/07/2006 2:35:00 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
ERIN, WI (AP) -- Vandals defaced one of Wisconsin's most historic religious shrines, celebrating the date 6-6-06.
The vandals hit the Holy Hill National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians, sometime between 8 p.m Tuesday and 5:45 a.m. Wednesday, Washington County Sheriff's Department Lt. Steve Gonwa said.
Holy Hill, a U.S. and state registered landmark, is a shrine-church-monastery complex that stands 1,350 feet above sea level about 25 miles northwest of Milwaukee.
The vandals attacked the monastery, spray-painting in red "Hell on Earth" on the front door along with a pitchfork and "666" on its walls, Gonwa said. Some believe the numbers "666" refer to the "Mark of the Beast," a person or entity controlled by the Antichrist. Tuesday's date was June 6, 2006, or 06-06-06.
On another monastery entrance they spray-painted an obscenity and "Happy Birthday Satan," Gonwa said.
The vandals also defaced four outdoor stations of the cross, spray-painting them in red. On one where Jesus is stripped of his garments before he is crucified, the vandals spray-painted a pentagram, Gonwa said.
A sign over the entrance to the stations reads "This is a religious shrine. Please be respectful." The vandals spray-painted "Hell" over it.
"Nice guys," Gonwa said. "Unfortunately there are some pathetic people out there."
Investigators have spoken with some people they believe are linked to other vandalism in the area, but so far haven't turned up any suspects, Gonwa said.
A message The Associated Press left for Shrine Director Cyril Guise wasn't immediately returned Wednesday.
Excellent! I just got in and heard this on the radio.
The idiots returned to the Scene of the Crime!
Just a bunch of country kids with nothing better to do? If so, they'd better throw the book at the parents, too. I mean, the kids haven't even been on Summer Vacation around here for a full week yet! If they're THIS bored and destructive already, what is the rest of the summer going to bring? Rioting in the streets and setting cars on fire?
Yeesh. If my (minor) son had done something like this, I'd have immediately signed him over to the monks for a few years of hard labor. And then I'd let the state have a crack at him for a few years. Then I'd sign him over to the military. ;)
Amen. That is the Christian way.
If government cannot punish them, I hope their communities do. How shameful to raise kids who would do such a terrible deed.
Arrest them and their parents.
Here's the update:
Vandals charged in shrine desecration
WEST BEND, WI (AP) -- Two cousins have been charged with felony vandalism for desecrating one of Wisconsin's most popular religious shrines earlier this week, when the date was 6-6-06.
Tyler Groth, 21, of Neosho and David Groth, 17, of Hartford were charged Friday with criminal damage to religious property in Washington County.
The elder cousin told authorities he had no remorse for his actions, which authorities said includes marking "Happy Birthday Satan" and "666" at Holy Hill National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians, said Washington County Sheriff Brian Rahn.
Rahn said that Tyler Groth admitted to taking part in the vandalism but said he wasn't sorry. Rahn said the man told him, "It was just something I did. I just wanted to have some fun."
David Groth refused to speak to investigators, Rahn said. He was arrested on Friday after deputies followed up on a lead to locate the 17-year-old at a home in the Town of Richfield.
Rahn said the teen was at the home of an acquaintance, who let authorities in and may not have known the boy was there.
Tyler Groth was arrested at the shrine on Wednesday when he, his cousin and several others were stopped by authorities. Rahn said the group returned to the shrine apparently to admire their work. The other people in the car were not arrested and released.
The department has said vandals hit the shrine sometime between 8 p.m Tuesday and 5:45 a.m. Wednesday. They attacked the monastery, spray painting in red "Hell on Earth" on the front door along with a pitchfork and "666" on its walls, Lt. Steve Gonwa said. Some believe the numbers "666" refer to the "Mark of the Beast," a person or entity controlled by the Antichrist.
Holy Hill, a U.S. and state registered landmark, is a shrine-church-monastery complex about 25 miles northwest of Milwaukee.
Tyler Groth, who has no prior record, could be released from jail on a signature bond. But David Groth, who has a juvenile record and pending theft charges in other cases, must post $1,000 bail.
They face more than three years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
The two were expected back in court on Wednesday.
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