Portland, Maine, Jan 3, 2020 / 17:05 pm
At Mass on Wednesday, Bishop Robert Deeley of Portland urged Catholics not to tolerate "any kind" of religious prejudice, following a spate of violent attacks against Jews and Christians in the U.S. during December.
"We need to work to overcome any form of religious prejudice," Deely said Jan. 1, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.
"Unfortunately, it marks this century for us. We have seen too many shootings and attacks on religious houses and communities. As Christians, we cannot tolerate any kind of religious prejudice," he added.
The bishop mentioned the recent attacks against Jewish people in New York during the week of Hanukkah, including the knife attack in a rabbi's home that injured five people. He also mentioned the shooting at Christian church in Texas on Dec. 29. According to police, the shooter opened fire during a Sunday morning service and killed two people before members of the congregation shot and killed him.