(TheIndependentStar.com) – After finding damaged Christian and Catholic symbols in the campus chapel in Washington, D.C, Georgetown University officials launched an investigation into what they describe as “potential hate crimes.”
The University Police Department responded to a report of vandalism in Dahlgren Chapel.
According to a letter from Associate Vice President of Public Safety Jay Gruber and Vice President for Mission & Ministry Reverend Mark Bosco to the campus community, they found a large processional crucifix.
It had been “inappropriately moved and sustained damage after being placed against the door,” the letter read.
Additionally, the statue of the Blessed Mother near the Heyden Observatory and Gardens was found “displaced and on the ground,” the letter continued. “We are currently investigating them as potential hate crimes.”
The letter noted that the motives behind these acts remain unclear, as does whether those responsible are members of the university community.
Moreover, police have identified one suspect from video surveillance footage who entered the chapel around 11:40 p.m. the night before the damage was discovered.
He is described as “a light-complexioned male wearing a dark-colored hoodie and dark-colored pants.” However, it is not yet known if this individual was involved in the vandalism.
In their letter, the two university leaders expressed profound concern over the desecration of religious symbols, calling these acts “hurtful and offensive.”
“Acts of vandalism, especially of sacred spaces, have no place in our campus community,” they wrote, adding that the university is “increasing patrols of all religious spaces on campus” in response to the incident.
The letter also mentioned other recent “irregularities” at the same locations on campus in recent weeks, though no additional details were provided.
Teddy Tibbs, a student and the treasurer of a Catholic service organization on campus stated that students are deeply affected by the vandalism.
“It’s going to take some time for our Catholic community to heal; this event has further created a culture of distrust between Catholics and non-Catholics on campus,” he said in an email.
“I also believe this event has brought many together and highlighted Georgetown’s identity as a Catholic university,” Tibbs added.
Besides, he mentioned that the Catholic Campus Ministry held a meeting with Catholic students to discuss ways to improve safety measures for places of worship on campus.
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