CHURCH VANDALISM
One pastor wants conversation
Leaders at one of the Calgary churches defaced on Canada Day don't have immediate plans to remove the red paint splashed across its front doors.
Instead, Grace Presbyterian Church issued a statement saying it hopes it might foster conversation about residential schools in Canada. Upwards of 1,000 unmarked graves have now been confirmed at the sites of former residential schools, which Indigenous children were forced to attend after being taken away from their homes and families. There were more than 130 government-funded, church-run schools across Canada.
Grace Presbyterian associate pastor Jacob Van Pernis said Friday he spent some time sitting on the church's front steps in the Beltline, watching as some people shook their heads or snapped pictures of the paint as they passed by.
But he said the church wants to invite dialogue on what they've deemed a symbol of grief.
“The hoped-for conversation is: let's not just try to cover this up. Let's talk about it,” he said. “Sure, we can be upset over red paint. But can we also be upset and grieve and lament what that red paint stands for, and listen to that voice, and be present with that voice?”
At least 10 other churches around Calgary were marked with red and orange paint late Wednesday or in the early morning hours Thursday. Some had paint handprints left on their exterior, and at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church, “Our lives matter” was painted on the door.
Most of the churches are Catholic, but a few, including Grace Presbyterian, are not.
The Presbyterian Church in Canada issued an apology in 1994 for its role in the residential school system, which included running several schools up until 1969.
The Calgary Police Service said in a statement Friday patrols around several churches will continue “for the foreseeable future.” They've been working most closely with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary, helping churches with security assessments and crime prevention plans.
The Calgary police hate crimes and extremism unit is also investigating for any evidence of hate motivation. Police say many of the markings “suggest the vandalism was in response to the graves recently found at former residential schools.”
Acting Insp. Peter Duchnij said police are just starting to sift through evidence, which includes CCTV video footage.
“When situations happen at places of worship, we obviously take it very seriously.”
He added reports of vandalism at 11 churches at the same time is a “high” number.
In Canada, evidence of hate motivation is considered after someone is convicted of a crime. Hate or bias due to the victim's race, religion, sexual orientation or other characteristics can be considered aggravating factors in sentencing.
University of Alberta law professor Steven Penney said in this case, if someone is arrested and charged, the Crown will likely have complex questions to consider.
“A swastika on a synagogue is designed to intimidate and to express a very clear message against a particular group of people,” he said.
“What is this (paint) intended to express? Is it intended to express hatred toward people who identify as Catholic? … The message or the symbolic value of the spray paint or the graffiti might be subject to interpretation.”
At Grace Presbyterian, Van Pernis said the main focus, for now, is being open to conversation.
“This is part of our collective story. Maybe we need to pause on reflect on that as well, and think about how we can continue the work of shaping that collective story in a different way.”
The Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of a residential school experience. Support is available at 1-866-925-4419.