President Trump vows to investigate a shocking Satanic attack on a Kansas Catholic church as concerns mount over alleged government targeting of religious groups nationwide.
Quick Takes
- St. Patrick Catholic Church in Wichita was vandalized with Satanic messages, including a beheaded statue and burned American flag
- Michael Angel Gonzalez, 23, faces multiple charges including burglary and criminal desecration
- Trump has pledged to investigate the incident while CatholicVote raises concerns about federal agencies targeting Catholic communities
- The Kansas Catholic Conference labeled the incident a hate crime amid a reported national trend of increasing violence against Catholic churches
- The same Satanic group is planning a controversial ritual at the Kansas State Capitol on March 28
Desecration of Sacred Space
St. Patrick Catholic Church in Wichita, Kansas became the target of what authorities are investigating as a hate crime when vandals broke in, beheaded a statue of St. Patrick, broke candles and windows, and burned an American flag. The attack, which occurred during St. Patrick’s Day weekend, left the congregation unable to hold services due to extensive damage. Most disturbing to church officials was the Satanic website scrawled on the church’s wall, linking the vandalism to organized anti-Catholic sentiment rather than random property damage.
Police arrested 23-year-old Michael Angel Gonzalez in connection with the vandalism. He now faces charges of burglary, criminal desecration, and criminal damage to property. The case is being reviewed by both the Sedgwick County district attorney and federal prosecutors for formal charges, reflecting the serious nature of the crime. The Wichita Police Department has also announced collaboration with federal law enforcement for a full-scale investigation into the incident.
https://t.co/ugkmKJkvRp pic.twitter.com/gWS5Vz79MF
— The Church Militant (@JohnAndrewDors3) March 22, 2025
Trump Pledges Investigation
President Donald Trump has pledged to investigate the attack, describing it as a “terrible thing.” This commitment comes amid growing concerns from Catholic advocacy groups about what they perceive as government indifference or even hostility towards religious institutions during the Biden administration. Trump’s promise resonates with many faithful Catholics who feel their concerns about religious persecution have been ignored by the previous administration and highlights the significance of religious liberty as a key issue for conservative voters.
Local authorities have strongly condemned the attack. Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan emphasized that all places of worship deserve respect regardless of denomination. The Catholic Conference of Kansas used stronger language, labeling the vandalism as “the face of evil” and describing it as part of a disturbing pattern of increasing violence against Catholic churches since 2020. Despite the attack, the congregation demonstrated resilience by proceeding with a planned St. Patrick’s Day parade the following day.
Broader Concerns of Religious Targeting
This incident occurs against a backdrop of growing tension between Catholic advocacy groups and federal agencies. CatholicVote has repeatedly appealed to President Biden’s administration to address concerns about government agencies allegedly being used against political opponents, particularly Catholic communities. The organization claims its letters and Freedom of Information Act requests to the FBI and Department of Justice were ignored or met with silence, prompting legal action. In April 2023, CatholicVote joined forces with Judicial Watch in filing a lawsuit against the FBI and DOJ to obtain records related to what they describe as the targeting of Catholics. This legal action underscores the persistent issues facing faith communities in today’s increasingly polarized public sphere.
Adding to concerns is the announcement that the same type of Satanic group associated with the website scrawled on the church is planning a controversial worship ritual at the Kansas State Capitol on March 28. Local authorities, including the Wichita Police Department, are collaborating with federal law enforcement for a comprehensive investigation of the church attack. Meanwhile, the congregation continues to recover from both the physical damage to their space and the impact of such a targeted act of desecration against their community and faith.
