This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jul/24/pope-francis-influenced-us-accused-brisbane-war-memorial-vandals-tell-court

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Pope Francis ‘influenced’ us, accused Brisbane war memorial vandals tell court Pope Francis ‘influenced’ us, accused Brisbane war memorial vandals tell court
(6 months later)
Four men say decision to remove the sword from a crucifix at the Toowong cemetery was inspired by a peace message delivered by the pontiff
Australian Associated Press
Mon 24 Jul 2017 03.00 BST
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share via Email
View more sharing options
Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest
Share on Google+
Share on WhatsApp
Share on Messenger
Close
Four men accused of desecrating a Brisbane war memorial say the words of Pope Francis inspired them to remove a brass sword from a stone crucifix.Four men accused of desecrating a Brisbane war memorial say the words of Pope Francis inspired them to remove a brass sword from a stone crucifix.
James Joseph Dowling, 61, and three other men are on trial in Brisbane magistrates court for allegedly vandalising the monument at the Toowong cemetery on Ash Wednesday.James Joseph Dowling, 61, and three other men are on trial in Brisbane magistrates court for allegedly vandalising the monument at the Toowong cemetery on Ash Wednesday.
They have pleaded not guilty to wilful damage.They have pleaded not guilty to wilful damage.
Dowling told the court on Monday their decision to remove the sword was inspired by a peace message delivered by the pope.Dowling told the court on Monday their decision to remove the sword was inspired by a peace message delivered by the pope.
“We were influenced by Pope Francis’s words ... where he said religion can never be used to justify war, and peace alone is holy,” Dowling said. “To actually go as far as to remove Jesus from the cross and replace it with a sword was the ultimate desecration of this symbol of our faith.”“We were influenced by Pope Francis’s words ... where he said religion can never be used to justify war, and peace alone is holy,” Dowling said. “To actually go as far as to remove Jesus from the cross and replace it with a sword was the ultimate desecration of this symbol of our faith.”
Dowling said the group “had nothing against the memorial” but were seeking to make it better by removing the sword and using an anvil to transform it into a garden hoe.Dowling said the group “had nothing against the memorial” but were seeking to make it better by removing the sword and using an anvil to transform it into a garden hoe.
“We didn’t set out to destroy or damage it, we wanted to transform it and improve it, which is what we did,” he said.“We didn’t set out to destroy or damage it, we wanted to transform it and improve it, which is what we did,” he said.
He told the court he came up with the idea, drove the group to the cemetery, brought the tools for the job and banners with religious verses, and decided they should sing a hymn when the sword was removed.He told the court he came up with the idea, drove the group to the cemetery, brought the tools for the job and banners with religious verses, and decided they should sing a hymn when the sword was removed.
But he denied being the group’s ringleader.But he denied being the group’s ringleader.
The trial continues.The trial continues.
Brisbane
Pope Francis
Christianity
Queensland
Religion
news
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share via Email
Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest
Share on Google+
Share on WhatsApp
Share on Messenger
Reuse this content