US Bishops Release Letter to Congressional Leaders Requesting Funding for Increased Security at Places of Worship

 The United States Conference of Catholics Bishops (USCCB) has long joined with a coalition of faith communities, in an open letter to congressional leaders for grants to increase security at places of worship. According to Catholic Vote: Since civil unrest began on May 28, 2020, there have been at least 385 attacks against Catholic churches in the United States, including acts of arson which damaged or destroyed historic churches; spray-painting and graffiti of satanic messages; rocks and bricks thrown through windows; statues destroyed (often with heads cut off); and illegal disruptions of Mass (SEE MAP at Bottom). They are seeking $200 Million from The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) which provides funding support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements and activities to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of terrorist attack.

FULL TEXT Letter of the USCCB:

Dear Speaker Johnson, Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, Leader Jeffries, Chair Murray, Chairwoman Granger, Vice Chair Collins, and Ranking Member DeLauro, 

The United States Conference of Catholics Bishops (USCCB) has long joined with a coalition of faith communities to support the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). Since 2005, this program has provided grants to nonprofits and houses of worship to enhance security through improvements to infrastructure, funding for emergency planning and training, upgrading security systems, and some renovation projects. These grants enable vulnerable communities to gather for worship, prayer, and service without fear of being attacked. Right now, we recognize that the Jewish community is especially vulnerable. Stories of attacks regularly appear on our newsfeeds, and there are even reports of antisemitic incidents having nearly quadrupled since the October 7 terrorist attack of Hamas on Israel in comparison with the same time period last year. Muslims are vulnerable too. It is especially disheartening to learn that the man accused of killing a six-year-old Muslim boy in Chicago reportedly identifies as Catholic. Nothing could be more antithetical to our Church’s teachings than this man’s alleged crime. In light of these persistent violent outbreaks, we join our friends from the Orthodox Union in urging you to include at least $200 million for the NSGP in the funding package that provides security assistance to Israel. Moreover, we ask that you work to ensure that these funds can be made available quickly, in a manner appropriate to the dire situation.

Source: USCCB - https://www.usccb.org/resources/USCCB_NSGP-funding-letter_11-1-23.pdf