Catholic Church Prepares for Attacks From Abortion-Rights Activists

Jake Thomas

© KENA BETANCUR/Getty ImagesProtesters organized by NYC for abortion rights demonstrate outside Saint Pauls Roman Catholic Church in the Brooklyn Borough of New York City, on October 9, 2021. – A US federal appeals court ruled on October 9 that Texas could resume its ban on most abortions, two days after another court suspended the ban. The Catholic Church has recently been warned of attacks by an “extremist group” over the Supreme Court’s expected decision to overturn abortion rights.

The Catholic Church is heeding federal law enforcement’s warning that a radical group is “calling for extreme violence” against churches nationwide in response to the Supreme Court‘s expected reversal of abortion rights.

An internal document obtained by Newsweek outlines intelligence shared by the Department of Homeland Security with the Catholic Church of a planned “Night of Rage,” targeting churches and pregnancy centers over their opposition to abortion rights. The document sheds light on how law enforcement and the church are bracing for backlash after a leaked opinion showed the Supreme Court preparing to rescind federal abortion rights.

Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.Isaiah:66:7 [2]And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. [5]And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.Revelation:12:2,5

But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.Matthew:21:38 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.Romans:8:17

Labeled an “urgent memo,” the document is from the Diocese of Stockton, California, and is directed to all clergy, as well as parish and pastoral staff. The memo states that Jesse Rangel, a DHS agent, told the diocese that federal law enforcement has discovered a manifesto from an “extremist group” calling for attacks on churches beginning at 8 p.m. the evening the court issues its opinion.

The Diocese of Stockton confirmed the memo with Newsweek on Thursday.

“We think the memo speaks for itself, and I can confirm that a version of this did come from the Diocese of Stockton and other dioceses are following suit with their own versions,” Erin Haight, the diocese’s director of media and communications, said in an email.

The memo does not describe the specific threats facing churches, but states that Rangel told the diocese that “large groups with cells nationwide have already been discovered ‘casing’ parishes, including here in California.” The diocese’s leadership has issued a “critical notice” for clergy, parishes and pastoral center staff to “develop a plan should you see or hear anything suspicious.”

For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:Acts:24:5 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.Acts:28:22

But Rome had fixed her eyes on Britain, and resolved to bring it under her supremacy. In the sixth century her missionaries undertook the conversion of the heathen Saxons. They were received with favor by the proud barbarians, and they induced many thousands to profess the Romish faith. As the work progressed, the papal leaders and their converts encountered the primitive Christians. A striking contrast was presented. The latter were simple, humble, and Scriptural in character, doctrine, and manners, while the former manifested the superstition, pomp, and arrogance of popery. The emissary of Rome demanded that these Christian churches acknowledge the supremacy of the sovereign pontiff. The Britons meekly replied that they desired to love all men, but that the pope was not entitled to supremacy in the church, and they could render to him only that submission which was due to every follower of Christ. Repeated attempts were made to secure their allegiance to Rome; but these humble Christians, amazed at the pride displayed by her emissaries, steadfastly replied that they knew no other master than Christ. Now the true spirit of the papacy was revealed. Said the Romish leader: “If you will not receive brethren who bring you peace, you shall receive enemies who will bring you war. If you will not unite with us in showing the Saxons the way of life, you shall receive from them the stroke of death.”—J. H. Merle D’Aubigne, History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century, b. 17, ch. 2. These were no idle threats. War, intrigue, and deception were employed against these witnesses for a Bible faith, until the churches of Britain were destroyed, or forced to submit to the authority of the pope GC 62.4

“Make sure you have ushers and or security available during your services and perhaps identify who among your volunteers and parishioners are law enforcement,” the memo continues. “Suspicious activity would include someone asking out of place questions (Largest Mass times? Doors always open? Do you have security?), looking around church property, protestors, and general disturbances.”

The memo does not name the group reportedly preparing for the attacks; however, a group calling itself “Jane’s Revenge” has posted to its website about a Night of Rage in response to the demise of federal abortion rights.

The post expressed dismay at the failure of feminist organizations, nonprofits and the Democratic Party to uphold abortion rights. It said a more confrontational approach was now justified.

“We have agonized over this apparent absence of indignation,” reads the post. “Why is it that we are so afraid to unleash hell upon those who are destroying us? Fear of state repression is valid, but this goes deeper than that.”

In anticipation of the Court’s opinion, pregnancy crisis centers in Texas, New York, North Carolina and elsewhere have been targeted with graffiti, reports The Guardian.

The graffiti scrawled on the centers—controversial organizations that try to dissuade women from abortions—have included “Jane was here” and, more ominously, “If abortions aren’t safe then you aren’t either,” the paper reports.

Robert Evans, a journalist with investigative outlet Bellingcat, reported last month that Jane’s Revenge had claimed responsibility for the fire-bombing of an anti-abortion organization in Wisconsin.

Newsweek reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment.

Update 06/24/22, 8:10 p.m. ET: This article was updated to include a response from the diocese.