Windsor, Ont. church devastated by vandalism with 'hate-motivated' message
A Windsor church is devastated after their recently renovated building was vandalised with a derogatory message.
On Friday morning, Pastor Anthony Brown arrived at Rapha Christian Centre to discover the words “Abort Christ” sprayed painted outside his church.
“It really is disturbing to us. I was very sad,” says Brown.
Windsor police say the mischief is being investigated as hate-motivated due to the nature of the graffiti, which is described as a heart with an offensive message targeting a religious group.
Pastor J. Anthony Brown looks up at graffiti that was spray painted on the Rapha Christian Centre in Windsor, Ont. on August 29, 2022. (Sijia Liu/CTV News Windsor)
Police believe the incident occurred between Aug. 25 at 10:00 p.m. and Aug. 26 at 8:00 a.m.
Brown says the church has numerous security cameras but the culprit got away undetected due to a blind spot in the camera’s coverage.
He notes several other churches in the area have recently dealt with vandalism similar in nature.
“Police also informed us that there are other churches who made a report this week and last week,” he adds.
Pastor J. Anthony Brown outside the Rapha Christian Centre in Windsor, Ont. on August 29, 2022. (Sijia Liu/CTV News Windsor)Brown recognizes there is heightened tension surrounding June's U.S. abortion ruling, telling CTV News Windsor, “I think from my perspective, it is people being upset at churches in general.”
In the meantime, the church plans to focus on its community outreach programs like backpack giveaways and grocery assistance.
The incident is being investigated by the Windsor Police Service Morality Unit.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
12 students and teacher killed in Columbine school shooting remembered at 25th anniversary vigil
Thirteen victims of the Columbine High School shooting were remembered during a vigil Friday on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the shooting that was the worst the nation had seen at the time.
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza city of Rafah kills at least 9 Palestinians, including 6 children
An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza's southernmost city killed at least nine people, six of them children, hospital authorities said Saturday, as Israel pursued its nearly seven-month offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Iraq investigates a blast at a base of Iran-allied militias that killed 1. U.S. denies involvement
Iraqi authorities said Saturday that they were investigating an explosion that struck a base belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of Iran-allied militias, killing one person and injuring eight.
The House is on the brink of approving aid for Ukraine and Israel after months of struggle
The House is preparing in a rare Saturday session to approve US$95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.