Agreed, it was certainly a malicious act. Yet I question those who believe that a thorn tree is “holy.”
I understand what you are saying, but I am sure it meant alot to the christians and catholics in the region. I have always wanted to tour all of the ancient cathedrals in England. I would say that it was indeed a bit ‘holy’, if it inspired people to walk the way of Christ. Just my two cents.
Evidently, this tree (like its rootstock predecessors) does something unusual for a thorn tree - it blooms twice each year, around Christmas and again at Easter. Hence, the "holy" reference.
If people want to view it as a symbol of the enduring nature of Christianity, I'll not criticize them.