Police investigate as churches burn from coast to coast

This story was updated June 30, 2021.

More churches across Canada have been destroyed or damaged by fires police are describing as suspicious or suspected arson.

RCMP in Morinville, Alta., are investigating the latest fire to destroy a Catholic church, a 100-year-old building that went up in flames Wednesday morning.

The fire at St. Jean Baptiste Church in Morinville, about 30 kilometres north of Edmonton, is being investigated as arson, Staff Sgt. Tom Kalis told CBC News.

In a statement, St. Paul Bishop Paul Terrio said, “It is with a sad heart that we learn the historic parish church of Morinville burned to the ground early this morning.” He called for “prayers and support for our brothers and sisters of Morinville parish as they grieve the loss of their very beautiful and historic parish church.”

Edmonton Archbishop Richard Smith released a video message on YouTube in which he called the news “heart-rending” and called for prayers for parishioners of St. Jean Baptiste.

He also said the archdiocese is working with parish priests and police on arson prevention protocols.

First Nations leaders have condemned the fires. Chief Clarence Louie of the Osoyoos Indian Band, who is also tribal chair and spokesperson of the Okanagan Nation Alliance, told Global News June 27 he has no doubt the fires were intentionally set. 

“Obviously, it’s the same group of people. Why did they do it under the cover of darkness? Because it’s a criminal act and they are criminal.”

On June 21, the Penticton Indian Band condemned the burning of two churches on First Nations Land in the South Okanagan area, saying they and the Osoyoos Indian Band “are in disbelief and anger over these occurrences as these places of worship provided service to Members who sought comfort and solace in the church.”

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde said June 30 the Indigenous way is not to burn things down, but, rather, is about building relationships and coming together.

Some politicians are also starting to speak out. On Twitter, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said the burning of the Morinville church “appears to be another violent hate crime targeting the Catholic community.” He said the century-old church “was the heart of Morinville, and a key part of the history and spiritual life of Alberta’s francophone community.” 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mentioned the church fires Wednesday, saying, “This is not the way to go. The destruction of places of worship is unacceptable. And it must stop.”

RCMP are also investigating two church fires on the Siksika First Nation east of Calgary that damaged the Siksika First Nation Catholic Church Monday and the Siksika Anglican Church Tuesday.

In Nova Scotia, police are describing a church fire on the Sipekne’katik First Nation “suspicious” after fire damaged St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church on the band’s grounds northwest of Halifax.

The spate of fires began June 21 when fires reduced to rubble two historic Catholic churches on First Nations lands in the Okanagan area.

Those fires, which police consider suspicious, destroyed Sacred Heart Mission Church on Penticton Indian Band land and St. Gregory Mission Church on Osoyoos Indian Band land.

Two more Catholic churches on First Nations land were then destroyed by fire, while fire damaged an Anglican church on First Nations land in Northern B.C. Police are calling all the blazes “suspicious.” 

Penticton South Okanagan Similkameen RCMP continue investigating early Saturday morning fires that destroyed the century-old St. Ann’s Catholic Church on the Hedley Native Reserve of the Upper Similikemeen Band and Our Lady of Lourdes Church on the Chopaka Native Reserve, Lower Similkameen Indian Band, near Osoyoos.

The latest fires occurred within an hour of each other, with Princeton RCMP receiving a call at 3:52 a.m. about the St. Ann’s fire and Keremeos RCMP being notified of the Chopaka fire at 4:45 a.m.

Police said the Chopaka fire spread to nearby brush but was quickly put out by BC Wildfire crews before it could spread.

Sgt. Jason Bayda of the Penticton South Okanagan RCMP said police are treating both fires as suspicious and “are looking to determine any possible connection to the church fires in both Penticton and Oliver” on June 21. 

Also Saturday morning a fire damaged the century-old St. Paul’s Anglican Church on Gitwangak First Nations land, between Terrace and New Hazelton. The blaze was extinguished before it could destroy the church. 

“The investigations into the previous fires and these two new fires are ongoing with no arrests or charges,” said Bayda.

Lower Similkameen Indian Band Chief Keith Crow told CBC that many in the community were members at the church and were very upset.

“I’m angry,” he told CBC. “I don’t see any positive coming from this and it’s going to be tough.”

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