Catholic Church Vandalized On First Day Of Lent
UNION CITY, Calif. (AP) — Police say vandals destroyed a cross and spray-painted the word "Satan" and other graffiti at a Union City Catholic church.
Police have classified the vandalism at St. Anne's Catholic Church as a hate crime. It was discovered around 7 a.m. Wednesday, about an hour before services were set for the first day of Lent — the period of fasting and prayer before Easter.
The front of the church was spray-painted in two places with a circled pentagram surrounded by the words "Satan" and the Latin phrase, "Carpe Noctem," or "Seize the Night."
The vandals also destroyed a wooden cross and defaced statues.
Church Pastor Rev. Geoffrey Baraan said he was very disturbed and was still shaking from the vandalism.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
