Charges not pursued in missionary vandalism case
Corp. Scott Powell with the Costilla County Sheriff's Office said the move comes after Roman Catholic Bishop Arthur Tafoya urged forgiveness for the missionaries on the eve of Good Friday.
In a letter sent to The Pueblo Chieftain, Tafoya, bishop of the Pueblo diocese, said Mormon officials had apologized to him personally.
"I ask that we as Catholics, who believe in the forgiveness of Christ, will ourselves forgive, and pray for the young men who showed such a lack of tolerance and understanding," Tafoya wrote in his letter. "I especially ask the members of the San Luis community to help the healing process by removing any anger that exists in their hearts. This is the time that we can show our love of Christ by forgiving and loving our neighbors."
In its apology letter issued shortly after the vandalism was discovered earlier this month., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints said respect for other faiths is a "cardinal tenet" of their beliefs.
Church spokeswoman Kim Farah said they were pursuing their own sanctions against the missionaries involved and were glad the sheriff's office wasn't pursuing criminal charges. One missionary who was still serving in Colorado had his mission terminated, and was sent home.
"The church expresses its profound regret and sincere apologies to the members of the Roman Catholic faith, to the members of the Sangre de Cristo Catholic Church and the townspeople of San Luis, for this senseless act," part of the LDS Church statement read. LDS Church officials also noted that those missionaries who had since returned will face disciplinary action from the church. The one missionary who was still serving in Colorado has been disciplined and his mission terminated.
Earlier this month one of the missionaries, identified as R. Thompson, issued a statement of apology to the parish and its members. "I realize that my companions and I have made a mockery of that which is most sacred to many of the residents of San Luis and the rest of the world. I should have known better because I have seen many of the same types of blasphemies made against my own church and I have been appalled," the statement said.
Recent comments
I do think that charges should have been pressed. They broke the...
Anonymous | April 14, 2008 at 5:14 p.m.
I think it is admirable of this Catholic congregation to let this...
Mary | March 22, 2008 at 2:07 a.m.
I think enough has been done. I still don't like the missionary...
Craig | March 22, 2008 at 1:27 a.m.
