Halloween Vandals Desecrate Graves At Catholic Cemetery: Bishop Barron

ROCHESTER, MN — Graves at Rochester's Calvary Cemetery were desecrated by vandals on Halloween night, according to Bishop Robert Barron, who oversees the Catholic Diocese of Winona-Rochester.

The vandalism included "hateful and obscene graffiti" written on several graves and the columbarium, Barron said.

"On this feast of All Souls, when the Church honors our beloved dead, I would like to express my outrage at this desecration and my assurance of prayers for the families of those whose final resting places were so dishonored."

The bishop said that the Diocese of Winona-Rochester will cooperate with police "in assuring that those responsible are brought to justice."

Barron plans to bless and re-consecrate the cemetery after the staff makes repairs and restorations.

Pope Francis appointed Barron as Bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester in June, and he was installed in July. Previously, Barron was an auxiliary bishop in the Archdioceses of Los Angeles.

Barron is well known in the United States through his work at his Catholic media company, Word On Fire Catholic Ministries.