Posted on 06/07/2006 2:35:00 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
ERIN, WI (AP) -- Vandals defaced one of Wisconsin's most historic religious shrines, celebrating the date 6-6-06.
The vandals hit the Holy Hill National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians, sometime between 8 p.m Tuesday and 5:45 a.m. Wednesday, Washington County Sheriff's Department Lt. Steve Gonwa said.
Holy Hill, a U.S. and state registered landmark, is a shrine-church-monastery complex that stands 1,350 feet above sea level about 25 miles northwest of Milwaukee.
The vandals attacked the monastery, spray-painting in red "Hell on Earth" on the front door along with a pitchfork and "666" on its walls, Gonwa said. Some believe the numbers "666" refer to the "Mark of the Beast," a person or entity controlled by the Antichrist. Tuesday's date was June 6, 2006, or 06-06-06.
On another monastery entrance they spray-painted an obscenity and "Happy Birthday Satan," Gonwa said.
The vandals also defaced four outdoor stations of the cross, spray-painting them in red. On one where Jesus is stripped of his garments before he is crucified, the vandals spray-painted a pentagram, Gonwa said.
A sign over the entrance to the stations reads "This is a religious shrine. Please be respectful." The vandals spray-painted "Hell" over it.
"Nice guys," Gonwa said. "Unfortunately there are some pathetic people out there."
Investigators have spoken with some people they believe are linked to other vandalism in the area, but so far haven't turned up any suspects, Gonwa said.
A message The Associated Press left for Shrine Director Cyril Guise wasn't immediately returned Wednesday.
For your Ping Lists, if you find it appropriate. :(
I hope the authorities find these little pukes and hang 'em high.
Holy Hill is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. This is very, very serious.
And I, too, want to see justice done. No "turning the other cheek" for me in this situation.
I go up to Holy Hill (about a 40 minute drive from me) at least once a year for Mass, usually in fall because the scenery of the fall colors is beautiful.
"Happy Birthday Satan,", "Hell" "666"the vandals spray-painted a pentagram
The thought of such a holy place vandalized like this is sickening and sad.
It truly is.
I posted the pictures so others could see it.
The pictures really don't do it justice though. One has to see it in person to really appreciate the serenity of Holy Hill. It's simply breathtaking.
Monsters who vandalize any religious structure are despicable.
"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
(frustrated)
Thanks for finding those pix. And I agree...photos do not do the place justice. I've been to a wedding there, and it was simply amazing. This is such a shame...and it's not going to be cheap to get all of that paint off of the statues and the buildings...if it can be done at all.
You know, I usually hate to advocate for keeping certain things away from people, but spray paint is getting to be one of them. It's the "weapon of choice" for the lowlife crowd.
I'll keep an eye on the news and if they've started a fund to repair things, I'll post it.
My pleasure. It was nice to Google "Holy Hill."
And I agree...photos do not do the place justice. I've been to a wedding there, and it was simply amazing.
I've been to probably twenty weddings over the past decade and I've never been to one at Holy Hill.
It's the "weapon of choice" for the lowlife crowd.
Especially for underage kids causing property damage.
I'll keep an eye on the news and if they've started a fund to repair things, I'll post it.
Please keep posted on this and I really hope they find the creeps who did this. I'll watch the 10:00 news and see if they have it on.
Catholic Ping List
Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list
"Unacceptable, No Matter What Your Faith" Ping! :(
The idiots who did this should be careful what they wish for. Lucifer would be more than happy to have them share in the event.
You said it. The story would have been crammed in everyone's ears. But, instead it's kept a virtual secret by the godless media.
Not muslim vandals..they would have defecated.
I simply can't imagine who would be behind this. I mean, it's not like it's an easy spot to get to, as would be a church on the city.
This took some planning.
Indeed. Thanks for posting the pics. My spouse and I visited for the first time on our way back from the Chocolate Festival in Burlington. We didn't even know it was there, but spotted the building from the highway we were on, and decided to take time to see what it was. It's a beautiful, holy place.
Deputies with the Washington County Sheriff's Department have arrested one suspect in this week's spray paint desecration of Holy Hill and are seeking at least one other suspect, Sheriff Brian Rahn said this morning.
A 21-year-old Dodge County man was arrested on suspicion of being party to a crime after deputies stopped the vehicle he was driving on Station Way Drive, on the grounds of the National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians, around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. There were five passengers in the vehicle.
"They had come back to look at it," Rahn said in reference to the graffiti spray painted on numerous statues along the Stations of the Cross and on the Monastery and main church.
The department might seek additional charges against the man later today, Rahn said.
After deputies questioned occupants of the vehicle and began checking driver license histories, a 17-year-old male resident of the Hartford area ran from the vehicle. Deputies are seeking that man but he was not in custody as of 9 a.m. today.
Vandals desecrated more than a dozen sites throughout the property. No estimate of the cost of removing the paint was available.
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