Trump promises to investigate a Satanic attack on a Kansas Catholic church as concerns grow over the Justice Department’s targeting of religious groups.
Key Takeaways
- President Trump has committed to investigating a Satanic attack on St. Patrick Catholic Church in Wichita, Kansas that occurred on March 15, 2025.
- The vandalism included beheading a statue of St. Patrick, broken windows and candles, a burned American flag, and Satanic messages scrawled on walls.
- A 23-year-old suspect, Michael Angel Gonzalez, has been arrested and faces multiple charges including burglary and criminal desecration.
- CatholicVote has partnered with Judicial Watch to file a lawsuit against the FBI and DOJ, claiming these agencies have targeted Catholics as political threats.
- The incident is part of what Catholic organizations describe as a disturbing national trend of increasing violence against Catholic churches since 2020.
Destructive Satanic Attack on Kansas Catholic Church
St. Patrick Catholic Church in Wichita, Kansas became the target of extensive vandalism on March 15, in what authorities are investigating as a hate crime. The attack left the church with significant damage, including a beheaded statue of St. Patrick, broken windows and candles, a burned American flag, and a Satanic website scrawled on the wall. The congregation was unable to hold services on the day of the attack but proceeded with their planned St. Patrick’s Day parade the following day, demonstrating resilience in the face of this destructive act.
Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan strongly condemned the attack, describing it as “disgusting” and emphasizing that places of worship deserve respect regardless of denomination. Local authorities quickly apprehended a suspect, 23-year-old Michael Angel Gonzalez, who now faces charges of burglary, criminal desecration, and criminal damage to property. The case will be reviewed by both the Sedgwick County district attorney and federal prosecutors for formal charges.
https://t.co/ugkmKJkvRp pic.twitter.com/gWS5Vz79MF
— The Church Militant (@JohnAndrewDors3) March 22, 2025
Trump’s Pledge and Federal Investigation
President Donald Trump has promised to investigate this attack, bringing national attention to the incident. The Wichita Police Department is collaborating with federal law enforcement agencies for a comprehensive investigation. Of particular concern to investigators is the Satanic website referenced in the vandalism, which is reportedly linked to a group planning a Satanic worship ritual at the Kansas State Capitol scheduled for March 28, raising questions about potential broader motivations behind the attack.
The Kansas Catholic Conference has labeled the incident a hate crime and noted it represents part of a disturbing national trend of increasing violence against Catholic churches since 2020. Law enforcement officials are continuing to investigate the motive behind the attack and have asked the public to come forward with any relevant information that might assist in their investigation.
CatholicVote’s Legal Challenge Against Federal Agencies
The St. Patrick Church vandalism has intensified concerns raised by CatholicVote about what they perceive as the previous administration’s misuse of federal entities against Catholic groups. According to CatholicVote, the organization has repeatedly appealed to President Biden and his administration to address concerns about government agencies being used against political opponents, particularly Catholic organizations. Their attempts to engage these agencies through normal channels, including Freedom of Information Act requests to the FBI and DOJ, have reportedly been ignored or met with silence.
In April 2023, CatholicVote joined forces with Judicial Watch to file a lawsuit against the FBI and DOJ to obtain records related to what they describe as the targeting of Catholics. The lawsuit aims to ensure governmental transparency and accountability regarding the treatment of religious groups by federal authorities. This legal action highlights the tensions at the intersection of religious freedom and federal oversight, pointing to broader questions about the proper relationship between faith communities and government agencies in American society.
