A statue of St. Junipero Serra, which was defaced and torn down by protesters Oct. 12, 2020, at Mission San Rafael Arcangel in San Rafael, California. Courtesy photo.Denver, Colo., May 26, 2023 / 13:15 pm (CNA).Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco said Thursday that prosecutors decision to reduce the charge against activists who destroyed a parish s statue of a saint from felony to misdemeanor sends the signal that attacks against the Catholic Church can continue with impunity."It is clear to me that this course of action would not have been taken with anyone else. In fact, if the same kind of offense had been committed against another religious congregation or group, it would almost certainly have been prosecuted as a hate crime," Cordileone said.Cordileone s statement follows a decision by the the Marin County District Attorney s Office to reduce charges against five protesters who, on Oct. 12, 2020, defaced and tore down the statue of St. Junipero Se
‘Now, with this decision, the Marin County district attorney has given the signal that attacks on Catholic houses of worship and sacred objects may continue w.