‘Nobody should feel unsafe where they pray.’ Pol vows action after Staten Island church incidents
Originally published in
Staten Island Advance
on
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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton announced that she will be reaching out to houses of worship in the wake of violence, vandalism and burglary at Roman Catholic churches on Staten Island.
“I am deeply disturbed by the recent vile events that have taken place at various Catholic churches across my district,” Scarcella-Spanton, a Democrat who represents the North Shore and South Brooklyn, said in a statement to the Advance/SILive.com on Monday.
“From the defacement of St. Sylvester’s on Christmas Day, to the burglary at St. Roch’s rectory, and the shocking destruction of the altar and statue at St. Ann’s in Dongan Hills, I am extremely troubled that this is happening in our community, particularly to our Catholic community.”
Scarcella-Spanton expressed support for the NYPD officers who responded to the incidents.
The politician said her team will connect with law enforcement and local churches “to ensure that our houses of worship receive the security and support they need.”
She added, “My heart goes out to anyone who was shook up by any of these instances, especially to the clergy and parishioners in attendance. Church is a place of peace and reflection, nobody should feel unsafe where they pray.”
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