CNA Staff, Nov 18, 2024 / 15:00 pm

Police in Arizona are investigating an October parish fire as an act of arson, with authorities seeking help identifying a suspect in the blaze amid warnings from federal law enforcement over increased arson activity against houses of worship.

Fire officials at the time indicated that the incident was not initially considered an act of arson. But Casa Grande police said over the weekend that a suspect was being sought in connection with the fire.

The Casa Grande Police Department said in a Facebook post on Saturday that the fire at St. Anthony of Padua “was purposely set” and that investigators need “help identifying [the] suspect.”

The police have “been working closely with the Casa Grande Fire Department and the ATF [Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives] to complete this investigation,” the post said.

The police department did not immediately respond to a query about the status of the investigation.

The investigation comes after the ATF earlier this month urged houses of worship to exercise “increased vigilance” and adopt new security measures amid a series of recent arson incidents against churches in the Northeast.

The federal agency cited several fires at churches in New England in recent months, including a fire at a Catholic parish in Franklin, Massachusetts, which investigators have determined was an act of arson.

The ATF in its statement suggested churches should employ several methods of enhanced security, including video cameras, restricted facility access, and updated emergency plans.

The bureau also said houses of worship should “maintain open communication with local police and ATF, report any suspicious activity immediately, and explore options for regular patrols in the area.”

Last month Tucson, Arizona, Bishop Edward Weisenburger said he was “deeply grieved by the damage and destruction” to St. Anthony of Padua Parish.

“A characteristic true to Catholicism is that our houses of worship are not simply places where we pray,” the bishop said.

“Rather, they are imbued with holiness by the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, the waters of baptism, consecrated vessels for worship, and the grace that flows from the celebration of the sacraments,” he said.