The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh on Monday released photos showing recent vandalism at Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Baldwin Borough in hopes that it will encourage anyone with information to come forward.
The diocese said the vandalism, which officials described as anti-Catholic and antisemitic, was discovered at the church last week.
Photos show black spray paint was used to draw various symbols, including stars and “SS,” on a statue of the Virgin Mary.
The images the diocese shared obscured some offensive words.
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In another photo, a plaque and bricks of the church’s bell tower is spray-painted with the words “Pagan,” and “SS” as well as an expletive against the Vatican
The door of a former convent on the property also was among the areas defaced.
The diocese and the Pittsburgh chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations decried the vandalism at Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, part of Triumph of the Holy Cross Parish. A spokesperson for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh said the organization was aware of the incident.
“The parishioners of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary and our entire diocesan family are heartbroken over this hateful act,” Bishop Mark Eckman said in the statement that accompanied the pictures. “I ask the faithful to join me in praying for comfort and peace, and I urge anyone with information, no matter how small it may seem, to contact the FBI.”
Anyone with information can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-255-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
