hand and heart

The recent post office troubles have impacted our regular fundraising efforts. Please consider supporting the Register and Catholic journalism by using one of the methods below:

  • Donate online
  • Donate by e-transfer to accounting@catholicregister.org
  • Donate by telephone: 416-934-3410 ext. 406 or toll-free 1-855-441-4077 ext. 406

Old City Hall creche vandalized for sixth year straight

By 
  • December 10, 2010
creche vandalizedTORONTO - For the sixth year in a row, vandals have taken a shot at the Christmas creche in front of Old City Hall in downtown Toronto.

Passersby noticed the plexiglass window which encases the statues of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus had been smashed on Dec. 5. Suresh Dominic of Campaign Life Coalition's Catholic wing was preparing to replace the broken pane on Dec. 8.


"It's really shameful for our city," said Dominic.

Campaign Life's Catholic group, which also operates as Gethsemene Ministries, puts up the Christmas display just half-a-block from the Eaton Centre and Canada's busiest shopping district.

Last year the creche became controversial when Gethsemene Ministries included a sign thanking anonymous sponsors for financing the purchase of $5,000 worth of new statues in the name of "pro-life hero Fr. Ted Colleton." Complaints were made to city hall and Campaign Life was accused to trying to politicize the Christmas display.

Dominic and Campaign Life denied they had any plan to stir controversy or attract media attention. They took down the sign to mollify Toronto Parks and Recreation. This year the sign only notes Gethsemene Ministries.

For the most part, people appreciate that the creche connects the Christmas season with more than shopping, Dominic said.

"Even when I was installing the statues, we had lots of families come up and they were taking pictures. They had small children and they were just so happy it was going up," he said.

The creche at Old City Hall will remain up until Jan. 9.
More in this category: « Ashleigh Molloy follows Vanier’s path Atheist ad campaign set to hit Toronto streets in new year »

Please support The Catholic Register

Unlike many media companies, The Catholic Register has never charged readers for access to the news and information on our website. We want to keep our award-winning journalism as widely available as possible. But we need your help.

For more than 125 years, The Register has been a trusted source of faith-based journalism. By making even a small donation you help ensure our future as an important voice in the Catholic Church. If you support the mission of Catholic journalism, please donate today. Thank you.

DONATE