The Massachusetts Council of Churches on Friday condemned anti-LGBTQ+ vandalism that occurred last weekend at five churches where flags and banners supporting inclusive worship were torn down.
The council decried what “what appears to be a coordinated attack by other Christians on LGBT-affirming churches,” according to a statement released by the Boston-based organization.
The churches were identified as Christ Lutheran Church and First Congregational Church in Natick, First Congregational Church in Norwood, First Congregational Church in Sharon, and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Framingham..
Pastors at the Natick churches described the vandalism in social media posts earlier this week.
The Rev. Cindy Worthington-Berry of First Congregational, said three flags supporting the LGBTQ+ community and people experiencing mental health issues were crumpled and thrown under bushes. A banner celebrating 20 years of the church being an “Open and Affirming congregation” was folded on the ground, she said.
“They were replaced by what is known as the Christian flag and a banner declaring ‘Jesus is King,’” Worthington-Berry wrote. “Also left behind were copies of an anonymous letter focusing on a narrow interpretation of a few verses of scripture.”
At Christ Lutheran, the Rev. Christephor Gilbert said that, in addition to the vandalism, “a handful of letters that were decidedly anti-LGBTQIA+ were also left behind.”
Gilbert said the vandals were apparently “fellow Christians” who claimed a biblical justification for their actions.
The council said Friday that such actions have no justification.
“We renounce this violence as we serve the Prince of Peace,” the council said. “All houses of worship should be sanctuaries where people can worship safely, without intimidation or fear.”
As Americans, the council continued, its members deeply value religious freedom.
“As Christians, we hold dearly the value of seeing each and every person as made in the image and likeness of God,” the council said. “As the Executive Board of the Massachusetts Council of Churches, we are particularly heartbroken that Christians would physically attack one another. Our Savior Jesus Christ calls us to be one. Religious violence is never a solution to theological difference.”
The vandalism, the council said, is especially troubling amid the broader climate of hatred, which has prompted multiple attacks in recent years on majority Black churches, immigrant churches, LGBT-affirming churches, mosques, and synagogues.
“In every case, we denounce such atrocious violence on every house of worship,” the council said.
No arrests have been reported in any of the cases, but the council said it trusts authorities to investigate the acts and prosecute them as hate crimes if they meet the legal definition.
“In the coming days, we will offer additional programming to local congregations to increase their safety and security,” the council said. “We invite all churches to attend.”
Travis Andersen can be reached at [email protected].
