The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), a program of JEWISHcolorado, and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Mountain States Region strongly condemn the vandalism targeting the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver that was discovered before Mass yesterday. According to the Archdiocese of Denver, 25 locations have been targeted in acts of vandalism, and the Cathedral itself has been targeted three times since July.

“We stand with our Catholic neighbors in this difficult time,” said Matt Most, JCRC chair. “Picking up the pieces from shocking acts of intimidation like this is something with which our community has become all too familiar in recent years. These destructive tactics are abhorrent, and we must not let them become the norm.”

“All people deserve the right to freely exercise their religious beliefs and to pray in their houses of worship free of intimidation and harassment,” said Anti-Defamation League Mountain States regional director Scott Levin. 

Through its contacts at the Archdiocese and the Colorado Catholic Conference, JEWISHcolorado has offered its support, including from its Secure Community Network (SCN) Regional Security Advisor, Phil Niedringhaus.

 “We are grateful to have Phil’s expertise available to our Jewish institutions and to be able to share that expertise with our neighbors when they are forced to deal with those issues we—unfortunately— find we now have in common,” said JEWISHcolorado president & CEO Rabbi Jay Strear.

Rooted in shared Jewish values and an enduring commitment to Israel, the JCRC is the public policy arm of the Colorado Jewish community. The JCRC has 38 member agencies and 15 at-large members representing different parts of the Jewish community. As the central community relations agency of the organized Jewish community in Colorado, the JCRC is both a voice for the Jewish community at the Colorado State Capitol and a partner in building relationships with other faith, ethnic, and stakeholder communities.

 Made possible by JEWISHcolorado, the Secure Community Network (SCN), and the Rose Community Foundation, and in partnership with the ADL and the Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation, the Regional Safety & Security Initiative leverages our collective resources to develop best practices for emergency communication, security awareness and training, and disaster response. Our Regional Security Advisor works directly with local, state and federal law enforcement partners across the state to ensure the safety and security of our Jewish community, and together, we are helping foster a culture of empowerment, collaboration, and vigilance, ensuring that all Jewish organizations operate safely and securely.