St. Elias church in Bonnyville vandalized with profane phrase

Vandals left graffiti at Parish of St. Elias the Prophet church sometime in the past 48 hours.

Church members of the Bonnyville and District Ukrainian Orthodoxy Church were notified this afternoon of graffiti that occurred on the church’s property in the last 24-48 hours.

RCMP notified the members that the back side of the Parish of St. Elias the Prophet church on 46 St. in Bonnyville was vandalized with a profane three-word phrase”f*** the population.”

Lakeland Connect has contacted the RCMP for more information.

Father Peter, parish priest, said there have been no previous issues of this sort at the church and their door is often open.

“I’m not exactly sure what would have brought on that type of directed anger at our parish,” Father Peter said.

Father Peter said he hopes this is an isolated incident and that the vandal can find peace.

“I beseech all of our district to pray for this individual, whomever they are. Whatever anger they are feeling must be overwhelming, pray that they find peace. Do not allow your hearts to turn to anger or hate, allow only prayer to be your response,” said Father Peter on the Church’s Facebook page.

The graffiti will be removed tomorrow morning.

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Update Apr. 18.

RCMP say they are actively exploring all available investigative avenues to determine suspects in the incident and are asking anyone who may have any information to contact Cst. Katherine Hall at the Bonnyville RCMP Detachment or Crimestoppers.

The graffiti was covered up Friday morning.

Father Peter and Janet Hutskal cover up graffiti which defaced the St. Elias the Prophet church in Bonnyville. Image credit: Genia Leskiw, Facebook.