Posted in Pensacola

Anti-Catholic signs hung on fence outside historic downtown church

   November 1, 2017

Someone has hung two anti-Catholic signs on the fence outside the entrance to the historic St. Joseph Catholic Church in downtown Pensacola, across from M.C. Blanchard Judicial Building and near Pensacola City Hall.

One sign states “Ye Must Be Born Again” with “No Hope” and “In Pope” hand-painted in blood-red letters. The other states “For It Is Time To See The Lord” adorned with “Only Jesus” also painted in red.

St. Joseph Catholic Church was begun by the Sisters of Mercy for blacks and creoles in Pensacola in 1877. The present Gothic Revival style church was built in 1894. On July 10, 1979, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

The Florida Uniform Crime Reporting Program defines Hate Crime as a committed or attempted criminal act by any person or group of persons against a person or the property of another person or group, which in any way constitutes an expression of hatred toward the victim because of his/her personal characteristics. Personal characteristics include:

  • race/color
  • gender/gender identity
  • religion
  • ethnicity/ancestry/national origin
  • sexual orientation
  • advanced age
  • mental/physical disability
  • homeless status
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3 thoughts on “Anti-Catholic signs hung on fence outside historic downtown church”

  1. It’s not “historical reenactment” it’s harassment and cowardice. This is a free country and you are free to worship however you wish but you have no right to force your beliefs on anyone else. The members of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church are kind, loving people who do great work in our community with countless programs to give assistance to the poor and medical care to those in need.

  3. Are you implying this is a hate crime? I don’t think so. Yesterday was Reformation Day–the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his 95 theses to the church door. This is more of a historical reenactment. Protestants reminding Catholics of why we are Protestants: Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, Solus Christus, and Soli Deo Gloria (Scripture alone, Faith alone, Grace alone, Christ alone, and to the glory of God alone).

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