Churches in the West – and increasingly across Canada – are on fire..A spree of arson and other acts of destruction have been occurring against Christian churches, focused mostly on Indigenous Catholic congregations. The acts range from petty vandalism to lighting fires in or around the churches, destroying many..As of publication, there have been almost 23 attacks against churches – including at least five completely destroyed by fires, at least three damaged by fires, and more than 15 vandalized to varying degrees..The rash of attacks comes on the heels of several discoveries of mass unmarked graves at former residential schools, and several activists openly calling for the burning of churches..Most RCMP units investigating the fires have been hesitant to officially link the discovery of the gravesites with the attacks, but have labelled the fires and other attacks as “suspicious.”.The most destructive fires have mostly been occurring across Western Canada, but there have been other minor fires and acts of destruction towards Christian in the East..The attacks were condemned by federal Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole and Alberta Premier Jason Kenney. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did not condemn the attacks for several days until asked about them by reporters on Wednesday June 30 – a full week after some of the first fires began on June 21..Indigenous leaders have condemned the attacks and called for more peaceful approaches to process the strong feelings of rage, frustration, and pain brought on by the recent discoveries of the unmarked graves..“To burn things is not our way,” said Perry Bellegarde, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. “Our way is to build relationships and come together.”.The most damaging attacks were in Alberta and British Columbia. These Western provinces saw five separate churches set ablaze and destroyed..St. Ann’s Catholic Church: Princeton, BC.3:52 am June 26 Princeton RCMP received a call saying the church was on fireThe church was destroyed.Chopaka Church: Keremeos, BC.4:45 am Keremeos RCMP got a call that the church was in flamesThe church was destroyed.L’église de Saint-Jean-Baptiste: Morinville, AB.Historic church, more than a century old, of significant importance to Alberta’s Francophone communityThe church was destroyed.Sacred Heart Church: Indigenous band lands in Penticton, BC.Built in 1911RCMP spotted the fire while on patrol at 1:22 amThe church was destroyed.St Gregory’s Church: Osoyoos Indigenous Band Land near Oliver, BC.Built in 1910Oliver RCMP received a tip at 3:10 am that the church was on fireThe church was destroyed.In all cases, the RCMP have stated that the fires are “suspicious”. Oliver RCMP said they are “sensitive to the recent events, but won’t speculate on a motive.”.A number of churches were also set on fire, but not destroyed..Siksika First Nation Catholic Church: Siksika First Nation 60 km east of Calgary, AB.RCMP responded to a tip at 12:30 am on Monday June 28 about a structural fire on Map 8 of the Siksika NationSiksika Fire Department put out the fire before any significant structural damage could be caused to the structureThe church was empty at the time, no one was injured as a result of the fire.Siksika Anglican Church: Gleichen, AB.Broken window were discovered and an unsuccessful attempt was made to start a fire within the churchThe suspects fled the scene prior to police arrival according to the RCMP.St Kateri Tekakwitha Church: Sipekne’katik First Nation 64 km north of Halifax, NS.Set on fire at 4:20 am June 30 but sustain only minimal damage.Concerns about the fires are especially amplified in BC, where summer forest fires are of heightened concern during the dry season and higher than usual temperatures..The following churches have been vandalized – mostly with red paint to symbolize blood – in some way over the past week:.St. Joseph’s in Kamloops, BC was branded with spray painted words “banished” and “crime scene” on its walls.St. Augustine Church in Vancouver, BC had “release the records” and “killers” written on its walls in red.St. Joseph Parish in Port Moody, BC was vandalized on the morning of June 13.Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Edmonton, AB had their statue of Jesus targeted with red paint on June 26.Sacred Heart Church in Calgary, AB also had their statue of Jesus get red paint thrown on it.St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Calgary, ABSaint Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church in Calgary, ABSaint Mary’s Cathedral in Calgary, ABGrace Presbyterian Church in Calgary, ABSaint Luke’s Parish in Calgary, ABHoly Trinity Church in Calgary, ABAll Nations Full Gospel Church in Calgary, ABSaint Anthony’s Catholic Parish in Calgary, ABSaint Joseph Catholic Church in Calgary, ABAssumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Calgary, AB.As of publication, several individual Catholic diocese have issued apologies to the Indigenous community, including Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen, Ottawa Archbishop Marcel Damphousse, and Calgary Bishop William McGrattan..The Vatican has yet to issue an official apology or release its residential school records, however on June 30 Pope Francis stated he will be meeting with Indigenous leaders soon..Alberta Premier Jason Kenney called the church burnings “unacceptable.”.“The Government of Alberta unequivocally condemns recent arson attacks that have targeted Christian churches across Canada and Alberta,” said Kenney..“This is unacceptable in Alberta. It is unacceptable in Canada. These attacks targeting Christian churches are attempts to destroy the spiritual sites that are important to people of faith across Alberta, including many indigenous people..“The Canada we know is not one where hate-motivated arson attacks targeting religious communities are common place or allowed to continue.”.In an attempt to combat these acts, Premier Kenney announced he will be doubling funding for the Alberta Security Infrastructure Program from $1 million annually to $2 million, which had previously been focused on religious minority communities..Jackie Conroy is a Correspondent for the Western Standard.jconroy@westernstandardonline.com
