Vandal Tags Notre Dame with #ProChoice Message

Graffiti was spray painted early Sunday morning on the side and front of Notre Dame. De Lourdes church or Fairview Road in Swarthmorewood.

Notre Dame de Lourdes Church on Fairview Road in Swarthmorewood was vandalized early Sunday morning, May 19, apparently by a single male wielding a can of black spray paint. On the side wall of the church he spray-painted “#ProChoice,” while more extensively inscribing the glass front doors with “You do not have the right to decide how others live. #ProChoice.”

The incident was captured on security cameras, which showed a white male, seemingly in his 20s, spray painting the church at about 3:15 a.m. on Sunday. The vandalism came following a politically charged week in which several state legislatures advanced anti-abortion legislation.

Members of the Our Lady of Peace congregation, who worship at Notre Dame, lamented the intrusion and worked together to remove the graffiti by Sunday afternoon.

Ridley Township detective Thomas Holmes said on Tuesday that while this remains an open investigation, police are hoping that the on camera suspect will be recognized and identified by an acquaintance. If you can help identify the suspect, call Ridley detectives at 610-532-4002, or leave a comment at Crime Watch Delaware County.