'You Should Feel Safe Wherever You Pray': Condemning Acts Of Vandalism At Staten Island Churches

​Borough President Vito Fossella; NYPD Borough Commander Assistant Chief Melissa Eger; District Attorney Michael McMahon, and State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton gathered to condemn recent incidents of vandalism at Staten Island churches.

The altar and statues were damaged during a morning mass at St. Ann’s R.C. Church in Dongan Hills on Jan. 9. St. Sylvester’s R.C. Church in Concord was vandalized during their Christmas Day morning mass. Two days later, there was a burglary in the rectory at St. Roch’s R.C. Church in Port Richmond. 

“We stand here in solidarity with our Catholic brothers and sisters and all those of faith to say on Staten Island, you should feel safe at your church or wherever you pray,” said Borough President Fossella during a press conference outside of St. Ann’s Church yesterday. “Religious freedom is at the cornerstone of who we are and we will defend it firmly and peacefully without apology.”

Assistant Chief Eger said the individuals responsible for the vandalism at the churches have been arrested. NYPD Community Affairs Officers and patrol officers have increased their presence and have been making regular visits to houses of worship across Staten Island.

“So, I want to emphasize that none of these incidents indicate the targeting of churches due to religious affiliation,” said Assistant Chief Eger. “These acts were of opportunism and theft, with a separate incident involving a mentally ill person.”

Rev. Jacob Thumma, the pastor of St. Ann’s R.C. Church and St. Sylvester’s R.C. Church, appealed for increased mental health services and prayers for his congregants and the suspect in the incident at St. Ann’s.

“This instant highlights an urgent societal concern -- the need for enhanced services and compassionate care for those suffering from mental illness,” said Father Thumma. “We must continue to invest in mental health resources that support families and provide timely interventions before crises occur. We ask the public to join us in prayer for the individual involved in this incident, that he may receive the healing he needs, and for the injured police officers and their families. We also pray for those in our congregation who were shaken by this event.”