Originally published at National Catholic Register
The federal agency cited several fire incidents at churches in New England in recent months, including a fire at a Catholic parish in Franklin, Massachusetts.
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is recommending that houses of worship exercise “increased vigilance” and adopt new security measures amid a series of recent arson incidents against churches.
The ATF said it “urges all religious institutions to take enhanced security measures to protect their congregations and facilities” after several acts of arson directed against churches in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
In a Nov. 8 statement, the bureau said there were “no specific threats” against churches but that authorities “recommend vigilance and proactive steps to prevent potential incidents.”
ATF Boston Urges Increased Vigilance For Houses of Worship Amid Rising Arson Incidents pic.twitter.com/SAr6DUSCVl
— ATF Boston (@ATFBoston) November 8, 2024
The federal agency cited several fire incidents at churches in New England in recent months, including a fire at a Catholic parish in Franklin, Massachusetts.
Investigators deemed an October fire at St. Mary Church in Franklin as an act of arson. The church in the Archdiocese of Boston was temporarily shuttered after the fire; the parish has been holding Mass in
