Dear editor:
Vandals have struck twice recently, damaging a six-foot crucifix outside of St. Pius X Church. The legs of the corpus have been damaged, the first time on Easter weekend, breaking them completely off, later to be found on the median of Mount Seymour Road. After finding an artist who specialized in the restoration of religious statues, and having the crucifix repaired, it was again damaged in May.
This is not the first time vandals have struck St. Pius X. During Christmas 2014, the Christ Child figure was stolen from a manger scene outside the church, and later returned without one of its arms. And other vandalism has been occurring on church property, including another statue.
What does this mean? Is it misguided youthful mischief? Or is it a more serious message? Is it religious intolerance?
Of concern to me is that this crucifix is at the centre of the Columbarium, which is a final resting place for some members of the St. Pius X parish family. It may be that the vandals do not realize that ashes are interned there and the damage therefore is equivalent to vandalism in a cemetery.
There are many reasons for deliberate malicious vandalism of a religious object, or for vandalism of a cemetery, ranging from racial hatred, morbid curiosity, ritual desecration, personal spite to a lack of respect for cultural and religious traditions. Or it could be a deliberate but not a malicious act such as misguided youthful partying and group-think at its worst. Regardless of the reason, it seems horrifying that vandalism of any sort, especially the final resting place for members of our community, has repeatedly occurred.
As a member of the St. Pius X community, I want to “love my neighbour” and with compassion I seek to understand the situation. I hope that the acts of vandalism are not a deeper malicious message, certainly as we seek to build a diverse tolerant community. A diverse, tolerant community includes the respect of religious artifacts, and cultural customs. As we build a world of compassion, tolerance and acceptance of all, I am confused about the ongoing damage of property and religious symbols.
Teresa Comey
North Vancouver
