Vandalism in Milford church put into perspective

Requests for forgiveness and perspective were responses to vandalism of St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Milford, according to the pastor, Father Peter J. Joyce.
    Michael Clifford, 21, and three juveniles were arrested Aug. 31after they allegedly ransacked the church, Boston 25 News reported. All four face charges including a civil rights violation, causing injury to a church, and breaking and entering.
Father Joyce said the vandals forced open doors, sat on the altar, smoked a joint, drank holy water and stole keys and eucharistic minister medallions. But they did no permanent damage to sacred objects and didn’t touch the Blessed Sacrament.
    One of the juveniles, who said this was his first offense, came by to apologize Wednesday. Father Joyce said he told the young man they’d prayed he would come, he would tell the congregation of his request for forgiveness and would continue to pray for him.
    Father Joyce said he told the congregation that, while they feel violated because church is a sacred and safe place, it can be repaired. But the violation of youth by clergy in the sexual abuse crisis “goes on for the rest of their life.”
He said people tend to see those who violate them as monsters, but while what the vandals did was sacrilegious, they are not monsters.