Catholics in a downtown Chicago neighbourhood expressed sorrow and dismay days after a cross was found burning at a popular park nearby. Source: OSV News.
The incident, with its menacing racist undertones, drew strong public condemnation from Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago.
Chicago Police told OSV News on Monday the cross-burning at Grant Park, which took place June 9, remains under investigation.
After daily Mass on Monday at Old St Mary Catholic Church in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood, Massgoers told OSV News they were saddened, dismayed and disturbed by the cross-burning.
In the United States, since the 20th century, a burning cross has historically been a symbol of racial hatred and threat of violent terrorism, most often directed toward Black Americans by members of the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups.
It has also been used by racist individuals and groups to target other minorities, including Catholics, Jews and immigrants.
Daily Massgoer Betty Kenny, 92, told OSV News that she saw cross-burnings as a child growing up in the Deep South, in Bogalusa, Louisiana, and saw the burning cross found in Grant Park differently from what she experienced.
“I just don’t think that person who did that knew what they were doing,” Ms Kenny, who is African American, told OSV News.
Ms Kenny described the cross-burnings she witnessed in her youth were ignited by members of the KKK, a militant white supremacist group.
“Usually, at the cross-burning, they gathered. When they did, it was gathered,” she said.
In contrast, the burning cross was discovered alone in Grant Park, an area within the central business district.
“That was one person that did it and ran away. … That’s why I said I don’t think he knew what he was doing.”
In a statement posted June 10, a day after the burning cross was discovered, Cardinal Cupich said “the sickness of spirit” symbolised by burning crosses or other acts “designed to terrorise” from the past is still present today.
“We condemn in the strongest terms this action and affirm that hate has no place in our country, our city and our hearts,” he said. “We pledge to work with our city’s faith and community leaders to redouble our efforts to share the Gospel message that we are all children of God, made in His image.”
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Chicago Catholics in sorrow and shock over cross-burning at popular park (By Simone Orendain, OSV News)
