Caggiano condemns anti-Semitic graffiti at Bridgeport cathedral

Bridgeport, Conn., Jan 5, 2019 / 18:22 pm

The Bishop of Bridgeport condemned anti-Semitism Saturday, after a swastika was found painted on the doors of Bridgeport's cathedral.

"I am appalled and outraged by this act of vandalism against the Mother Church of our Diocese and this brazen and disgusting display of anti-Semitism which is morally abhorrent and an affront to our Catholic faith," Bishop Frank Caggiano said in a statement Jan. 5.

"To use a clearly anti-Semitic symbol is participating in unspeakable evil."

The swastika was found painted on the doors of St. Augustine's Cathedral on the morning of Jan. 4. Caggiano said that because he is on retreat, he had only learned of the vandalism Saturday afternoon.

Bridgeport police have not yet named a suspect in the crime, Caggiano said.

Anti-Semitic incidents are reported to be on the rise in the U.S. and internationally. The number of anti-Semitic incidents rose 57 percent in 2017, the Anti-Defamation League reported. In October, 11 people were killed in a Pittsburgh synagogue by a man who said he "wanted all Jews to die."

A recent survey of Jewish people living in the European Union found that over a quarter of respondents had been the victims of anti-Jewish harassment in 2017 or 2018.

"It is deeply distressing to see such a display of hatred at a time when we need to strengthen our efforts to come together as a community in mutual respect and support," Caggiano said.

"My thoughts and prayers are with our Jewish brothers and sisters in the city of Bridgeport and beyond. We stand with you and condemn every form of anti-Semitism, racism, and bigotry wherever it may be found."