Three more churches in Massachusetts were targeted with anti-LGBTQ+ vandalism in late July, and the churches’ leaders and their communities, along with the Massachusetts Council of Churches, are once again rallying in support of LGBTQ+ people and their churches’ missions of inclusivity. Local police and the FBI are also on the case.
Reports Boston.com:
Leaders of the First Congregational Churches of Norwood and Sharon and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Framingham said their churches were recently targeted by vandals.
All three churches, plus the two in Natick, are “Open and Affirming Congregations,” part of a coalition of churches that “welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) members.” A joint statement from the three churches says the vandals targeted their specific churches because of their affiliation with the LGBTQ+ community.
“It appears these congregations were targeted because of their clear and explicit welcome of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer siblings in Christ,” the statement said.
The vandals ripped down Pride flags and replaced them with Christian flags and banners that read “Jesus is King” at the churches, church leaders said, and left leaflets containing biblical verses interpreted to be homophobic on the premises of each church.
“Sadly, the persons responsible for these attacks left materials indicating they were done in the name of Christ,” the joint statement said. “In response, we declare our unequivocal and unwavering commitment to living out Christ’s welcome to people of every sexual orientation and gender identity and celebrating their full participation and inclusion in our denominations.”
The Massachusetts Council of Churches also released a statement on the attacks, renouncing any form of religious violence.
“As the Executive Board of the Massachusetts Council of Churches, we are particularly heartbroken that Christians would physically attack one another. Our Savior Jesus Christ calls us to be one. Religious violence is never a solution to theological difference,” the group said.
The FBI is looking into the acts of vandalism, a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Council of Churches said. The Boston field office of the FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Read the complete Boston.com story here.
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