A short time after the visit of Mayor John Tory to St. John the Evangelist Church, Marc Porlier, the suspect in the case caught on video (allegedly) committing the arson attack against the Church, was arrested. The parish, one of the oldest in the Archdiocese of Toronto dating back to the 1850's, is where this writer was Cantor for nine years.
Yesterday, a faithful reader, and a priest to boot, sent me a note with a link to a video on Vimeo.
It was a professionally produced video made six years ago called, "The Gospel According to Marc," wherein Porlier vents his disdain for the Roman Catholic faith in which he was "brainwashed," and mocks God, even to the point of dressing up as an old man in white to equate himself with him. Porlier also dresses as the Devil in his long diatribe on the evils of organised religion, Roman Catholicism in particular. His search for the truth lead him to eastern philosophy, mysticism and Deepak Chopra.
Poirlier reveals himself as a pathetic figure, poorly catechized and ignorant of the real faith and the real Truth, he seems to be looking for. He speaks of peace, yet, allegedly, burns churches. Poirlier was a child at the parish, though he does not reveal this in the "documentary," but that he was "brainwashed" up to the age of 15. Two weeks ago, he showed up at Mass for the first time. He introduced himself to the Pastor after Mass and was not seen again. Did Poirlier come to the Church to plot his alleged crime?
Prayers are needed for Marc and his family. Poor soul, may he now find the peace and truth he so desperately seems to be seeking; and may St. John the Evangelist and the Holy Souls buried under the cement floor of the basement and the once parking lot of the church intercede for him.
Toronto Church Fire-Bombed on Easter Sunday morning
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, in Toronto's old Weston community was fire bombed early Easter Sunday morning. The parish is one of the oldest in Toronto, established over 160 years ago.
In the dawn hours, an incendiary device was used through a broken window causing a fire. All Masses for Easter Sunday were cancelled. There were no injuries. Police and Fire are investigating. The suspect has not yet been identified.
This is the parish where this writer volunteered for nine years as Cantor.
Police have released the photo of the "suspect" from the Church's newly installed, sophisticated video security system.
UPDATED at 8:29 P.M.
Police are searching for 43-year-old Marc Porlier, of no fixed address, known to frequent both the Weston Road and Lawrence Avenue, and Weston Road and Jane Street areas. Porlier has a history with police, Const. Jenifferjit Sidhu told CBC Toronto. If seen, members of the public are asked not to approach him.
11 comments:
Shocking news. So sorry. None of us can afford to leave broken windows unattended these days, especially CC churches. I know they could break the window with throwing the incendiary device but at least that would look better for insurance purposes. I don't suppose Trudeau is gong to lose any sleep over this incident!
How pathetic. Loving that new security camera. Surely this demon will be found. But what will Canada do with him? Tap him on his wrist? Canada is now hostile to Christians, so it will be interesting to see how determined they are to catch him and, what they do with him when they do.
It is a despicable crime.
All churches need such security cameras.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4413868/Seville-stampede-caused-thugs-shouting-Allah-great.html https://www.thereligionofpeace.com/attacks/christian-attacks.aspx
The picture reminds me of satan in the Passion of the Christ.
Prayers for the parish family, and for the conversion of heart of the perpetrator. My own parish was the victim of an arson attack a couple of years ago. We have come through it, but it was a traumatic experience. Fortunately, it also energized many families in the parish to work harder for the parish and brought many of us closer together, so it is always good to remember that God is able to work good from evil.
Lord, have mercy!
It seems the suspect is a former parishioner who wanted to be a priest, but now sees the Church as some cult.
Dear Vox: You know I have a great deal of respect for you, and I understand your desire to shine a light on the horrible behaviour of men in the church who abused their Authority in very evil ways. Respectfully, I'm not sure if this speculation is helpful.
The Sacristy window, as you know, is hidden from the road (George St) by the Southern exit steps, and the "bunker" to get into the hall.
I was privy to the security video. He required the specific layout to perform the acts he is charged with. I doubt there is much more to it than that.
It's a bit chilling because our son was in that Sacristy preparing for the Easter Vigil just 12 hours before the arson.
We, must of course assume that the person charged is most likely disturbed and requiring help with what appears to be a mental breakdown.
Respectfully,
Phil Black
(We still miss your Voice!)
There are no more vehement enemies of the Catholic Church than those who've been in it and never learned the Faith, and then left. This is what the Second Vatican Council has created, thousands of poorly catechized "catholics". They herd the children through to confirmation as if they've truly accomplished something when they don't even know the most basic doctrines and dogmas of the Faith, let alone understand them. Try to do something about it and you're shunned as "old fashioned" and too hard on them! This is our Church today, sadly, in so many places.
Prayers for the poor parish members hurt and traumatized by this act of hatred for God and the church. It is painful for parish members to have to have this happen, it inflicts a psychological wound on people. What does it say to children? In a world gone crazy, their church must be firebombed too? This type of heinous act creates anxiety about violence to a child. A terrible thing to do.
Prayers for this person's conversion.
He did a terrible thing, but when I listen to him, I hear the pain.
I am not saying he should be excused, but I am saying he is filled with a desire for truth. Someone help him,for his doubts are not without logic. I can not condemn him, because I am him in many respects.
I condemn his evil acts.
Is it just me, or are his eyes incredibly piercing? Is it demonic? Such a waste of a rather handsome, rather intelligent man. God, please help Him, forgive Him, hear his cry! Please God, transform Him into your most rigid, fanatical follower! He could be one, I think.
“The reason I'm doing this film is because I was raised Roman Catholic, and to me what that means is that I was raised in a cult,” he said.
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