Ashley McGuire: Attacks on Catholic Churches Are a Pattern of Hate, Not Isolated Incidents

In the wake of yet another attack on a Catholic institution, The Catholic Association is calling attention to a disturbing and persistent pattern of anti-religious violence in the United States. Following the vandalism at Holy Innocents Catholic School in Long Beach, Ashley McGuire of The Catholic Association has issued the following statement urging federal leaders to take seriously the growing threats to houses of worship and religious communities nationwide.

Ashley McGuire of the Catholic Association released this statement on the case:

“It is both appalling and heartbreaking that a nation founded on principles of religious liberty is growing accustomed to attacks on houses of worship. The vandalism at Holy Innocents Catholic School in Long Beach this week is not an isolated incident, but rather the latest in a hundreds-long list of Catholic Churches that have faced vandalism or arson since 2020. This is a pattern of hate, whether it is protesters storming a peaceful worship service or bigots smashing statues of Our Lady. We should not need trackers for attacks on churches and synagogues in America in 2026. Parishes like my own are having to divert hundreds of thousands of dollars a year toward security from violent bigotry. The Justice Department must prioritize defending the security and safety of America’s sacred spaces.”

– Ashley McGuire is a Senior Fellow with The Catholic Association and co-host of the nationally syndicated radio show, “Conversations with Consequences.” 

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