In the early hours of Friday morning, a fire broke out at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Arizona, causing extensive damage to the historic sanctuary. Officials have labeled the fire “suspicious in nature,” and the incident is under investigation as Arizona approaches a vote on Proposition 139, which seeks to make abortion a constitutional right.
Father Ariel Luston, who leads the parish, found the church in ruins after the fire, which destroyed pews, stained glass, and more. “We will rise from the ashes,” Luston said, acknowledging the community’s outpouring of support. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has joined the investigation, as the fire has raised questions among local residents.
Casa Grande Fire Department fire marshal Frank Ricci noted that they are considering all possibilities and have requested assistance from the ATF. Ricci explained that the church’s role as a place of worship and its recent opposition to the state’s abortion amendment make a thorough investigation necessary.
The church has taken a strong stance against Proposition 139, sharing social media posts to encourage a “No” vote. Arizona’s bishops have also voiced opposition, expressing concern that the amendment would remove current abortion limits, including parental consent requirements for minors seeking abortions.
Tommy Valentine, director of CatholicVote’s Catholic Accountability Project, highlighted the correlation between pro-abortion violence and states with abortion measures on the ballot. “We hope this fire is unrelated to political violence, but we cannot ignore recent trends,” he stated, urging authorities to prioritize the investigation.
As the investigation progresses, Arizona’s Catholic community is watching closely, hoping for clarity and resolution before the critical upcoming vote.