Posted on 04/14/2009 6:12:09 AM PDT by NYer
CALIFORNIA AVE. — Santa Monica Police are investigating an alleged hate crime after officials with St. Monica Catholic Church discovered a statue of the Virgin Mary beheaded shortly before Easter services commenced.
A priest found the 55-year-old marble statue, which stands on the corner of Seventh Street and California Avenue, decapitated around 5:45 a.m. on Sunday, spotting the head on the ground just a few feet away. The top of the statue was covered with a white plastic bag before service began.
“Even though it was a sad event, it didn’t take away from the joy of Easter and celebrating Christ’s resurrection,” Jason Farmer, the church spokesman, said. “The joy was still sustained and celebrated throughout the day.”
Police have not identified any suspects.
“Anytime a church or school is targeted, we look at it as a possible hate crime,” SMPD Lt. Darrell Lowe said. “In this case, since the vandalism was of a very important figure within the Catholic religion, we’re classifying it and investigating it as a hate crime.”
Authorities said they are not sure how the head was removed, but Farmer said that the top is not detachable.
The statue, which stands at about 5.5 feet tall and is mounted on a 3.5-foot-tall pedestal, was dedicated in 1954 in memory of Monsignor N. Conneally, who was the head of the church from 1923-1949.
The statue was vandalized in 2002 when both hands were taken off. The perpetrator was never caught, Farmer said.
The statue will be repaired and restored, Farmer said. A cost estimate was not available at presstime.
“The church considers it to be sad and there are certainly questions about why this was done,” Farmer said. “But our sadness is brief, especially in the celebration of Easter.
He said the church considers the incident as a challenge to be more welcoming and caring to those who are struggling or hurting in the community.
“What has happened to the statue is an invitation for us to live out a deeper, more profound love for others,” he said.
Anyone with information is urged to contacted the SMPD at (310) 458-8419.
melodyh@smdp.com
“That’s Jesuit gobbledegook.
It is human nature to mock what one doesn’t understand.”
I understand your religion better than you do. I know its history of genocide and torture, of political intrigue and oppression. They won’t tell you about that.
“Your version of history is 500 years old, made up out of whole cloth to placate the souls torn away from communion with His Church.
Aesop’s fable of the Sour Grapes tells the story perfectly.”
Wrong. It’s fresh and contemporary and 1700 years old.
You are dividing His natures and making Mary mother of only His human nature. This is both heterodox and heretical.
The problem is, so much of what you 'understand' simply isn't true.
I know its history of genocide and torture, of political intrigue and oppression.
You have the wrong guy. I'm talking about the Catholic Church.
LOL
Liberal Democrats aren't much for blaming the guilty party. I am.
You describe a distorted straw man version of Catholic teachings and then attack it as wrong.
The typical anti-Catholic bigot hates a lot of things that simply aren't Catholic. Deification of Mary is one of those things.
“The typical anti-Catholic bigot hates a lot of things that simply aren’t Catholic. Deification of Mary is one of those things. “
Your spirit of denial is amazing. You know that God has forbidden the making of images and the bending of the knee to them and yet you insist that it is perfectly O.K..
Changing the subject I see.
These attacks are usually a shell game.
“I know its history of genocide and torture, of political intrigue and oppression.
You have the wrong guy. I’m talking about the Catholic Church. “
You just proved and posted your ignorance of the bloody harlot.
“Changing the subject I see.
These attacks are usually a shell game.”
No, I’m still on the same subject. I haven’t left it. The subject is Mariolotry.
Mariolotry is a born of ignorance and malice, in varying blends.
Correction:
Mariolotry is a myth born of ignorance and malice, in varying blends.
“You are dividing His natures and making Mary mother of only His human nature. This is both heterodox and heretical.”
You want to know what is heretical? The church that has immersed itself in the governments of this world for more than a millenium, all the while claiming that it represents Jesus Christ, The One who said, “My kingdom is not of this world”.
You want heresy? How about flying in the face of “There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the MAN Christ Jesus.” with a
FEMALE “ mediatrix”?
“
“Your version of history is 500 years old, made up out of whole cloth to placate the souls torn away from communion with His Church.”
No. The souls that were torn away from their bodies were torn by the bloody inquisition of that rapacious religion that proselytized with the sword. It has never disavowed these policies.
Changing the subject again I see.
...with a FEMALE “ mediatrix”?
How deliciously misogynous.
You just proved and posted your ignorance of the bloody harlot. - RT
There's no ignorance involved. It is a classic non-answer, and/or misdirection. There will then be a personal attack in disguise, and a dismissal. That will be followed by their catechismal responses, and rote descriptions describing their claims and exclusivity.
Joe Smith is in charge now, according to Mitt and family. Old dead Joe decides on godhood, and simple entry into the heavenly kingdom. Better pay those tithes, and get that temple chit.
There are lots of claims to be His church, but none on Earth can stand the test. The sacraments of the Roman brood are not Jesus. They are but bread and wine. Jesus gives life to the spirit, not the body.
The age of a religion makes no difference. The Romans have helped keep the written Word, but there is too much man, and not enough Spirit.
Christ died so that ALL who believe in Him, WILL be saved. I hope I don't need to quote John. Any attempt to place a burden back onto a believer is anathema to Christ.
Cults are not exclusively little groups. They are any group who looks to a man for leadership. They can all lead to death. At least Jim Jones provided refreshments.
*******
Romans 9: 6It is not as though God's word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 7Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned."[b] 8In other words, it is not the natural children who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring. 9For this was how the promise was stated: "At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son."[c]
10Not only that, but Rebekah's children had one and the same father, our father Isaac. 11Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God's purpose in election might stand: 12not by works but by him who calls—she was told, "The older will serve the younger."[d] 13Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."[e]
14What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15For he says to Moses,
"I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."[f]
16It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.
You are describing your behavior perfectly.
I am ignorant of the bloody harlot, which is irrelevant because we are talking about the Catholic Church.
Again, I'm only talking about the Catholic Church. I have no idea what fever dream you're discussing.
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