3/19/2025 United States (International Christian Concern) — Federal and local authorities are investigating a possible hate crime after a Catholic church in Wichita, Kansas, was vandalized, and a Satanic message was left behind.
According to the Wichita Police Department, officers who responded to the burglary at St. Patrick Catholic Church on Saturday morning found “extensive vandalism,” including hate speech, and damage to statues, candles, and glass.
“This reprehensible act of vandalism will not be tolerated,” Police Chief Joe Sullivan said. “Our officers and investigators worked tirelessly to bring this suspect to justice.”
On Sunday, Wichita police arrested a 23-year-old suspect. The FBI and ATF are assisting in the investigation.
St. Patrick Church is a predominantly Latino parish situated in a working-class neighborhood of North-Central Wichita. Parishioners were unable to worship at the church Saturday evening and Sunday morning.
“It’s disgusting,” Sullivan said of the attack. “It doesn’t matter what denomination. Any place of worship, people should feel safe there, and they should feel that it was a place that is being respected.”
In a Facebook post, the Kansas Catholic Conference said, “A Satanic website was scrawled on a wall. This is the face of evil. This is the same type of group that will be holding a Satanic worship ritual on the grounds of the Kansas State Capitol on March 28.”
The suspect, Michael Gonzalez, was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail for burglary, criminal desecration, and criminal damage to property. He’s also being held for contempt of court and a parole violation. According to the Kansas Department of Corrections, Gonzalez is on parole for Saline County convictions of criminal threat, criminal damage to property, and burglary.
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