Last week’s report about security concerns at St. Francis de Sales (SFDS) generated several requests for additional information. The following is an update on the situation and answers to the questions most frequently asked of The Rockaway Times.
Updates:
- In keeping with the commitment reported last week, the 100th Precinct sent officers to all Masses at St. Francis on Sunday, August 23.
- No further direct contact has occurred between the parish and the Department of Homeland Security or the NYPD Counterterrorism Bureau.
- Cameras were repaired and/or added at key points around the SFDS campus.
- On Friday, August 21, at 5:45 p.m., a new incident occurred. A man was observed taking video of the church and school. Unlike the Palm Sunday incident on March 29, a parishioner stated that it looked like this man wanted to be noticed. St. Francis made a report to the NYPD, as per the instructions from Captain Singh of the 100th Precinct.
Were the authorities contacted simply because someone took a picture of the church?
No, concern was raised because the totality of the circumstances seemed unusual to church leadership. On Palm Sunday, video was taken both outside and inside the church. Entering someone else’s house of worship without an invitation or escort is considered unusual. Taking video during services is extremely unusual and considered inappropriate in the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths.
Could these videos simply have been tourism or appreciation for the beauty of the church?
It seems unlikely. The witness from the Palm Sunday incident said it appeared the video was being taken secretively. Instead of holding the camera at eye level, the man kept his cell phone at his hip while filming the main church entrance. In the second incident, video was taken down the rectory driveway on Beach 130th Street. There is nothing of aesthetic value to see.
Why did it take months for the Palm Sunday incident to be reported?
St. Francis did make the 100th Precinct aware after the first witness came forward. It seemed an isolated incident, so no further action was taken. In addition, it took the witness four or five days to come forward. At that point, there was limited opportunity to get corroboration or additional information.
Why have we not seen video or still shots from either incident?
The Catholic Academy has a well-functioning security system with effective cameras. However, the school staff was on summer break. The cameras around the church were not fully functional. That has been corrected. New cameras have been added as recommended, including at the Parish House. After school staff returned, the Catholic Academy provided video to the authorities.
Why did the Rockaway Times story not include the names of the witnesses?
The Rockaway Times did not have the names of the witnesses. Since they reported their observations to the church, not the police, the witnesses’ identities are not a matter of public record. However, The Rockaway Times did listen to/view the testimony from each witness, so our report was based on primary sources / first-hand accounts.
Are these incidents related to the vandalism incidents at St. Mary’s, St. Gertrude’s and other Catholic churches?
There is no evidence to suggest a connection between the attacks that have been occurring at other Catholic churches in Rockaway (or the thefts of religious statues from homes in Ozone Park and Howard Beach) and the video incidents at SFDS on March 29 and July 30.
What impact has the security concerns had on church participation?
Little, if any. “The 12 o’clock Mass on Sunday [August 23] was packed,” Fr. Jim Cunningham said. “We almost ran out of communion.” In addition, The Rockaway Times observed that the St. Francis gymnasium was at capacity for the Summer Classic Open Division championship game on August 20. On August 21, hundreds of children participated in a basketball clinic in the St. Francis schoolyard.
Have recent attacks against Catholic churches made St. Francis suspicious of people from different religions?
According to Fr. Cunningham, no. “St. Francis is very welcoming to people of other faiths and sponsors inter-faith events,” Cunningham said. “But there is a line between hospitality and responding to unusual behavior. The MTA says, ‘If you see something, say something.’ That is what we did. It was not accusatory. In the end, it may be nothing, but in today’s world it would be irresponsible to not make a report.”
