There is no place in Greater Sudbury for hate, said the pastor of St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church.
Pastor Peter Bodnar said his church was vandalized over the weekend. The letter “Z” was spray painted on the wall of the church, as well as on two bronze plaques that are very important to the Ukrainian community here in Greater Sudbury, he said.
The “Z” mark has been painted on Russian tanks and military vehicles. There is widespread speculation on its meaning, with the Russian defence ministry reporting the “Z” stands for ‘Za pobedu’ (for victory). It has become a symbol of support for Russia and its invasion of Ukraine, which is why Bodnar and the Ukrainian community express sadness at the vandalism.
“It’s a symbol of Russian power over Ukraine,” said Bodnar. “In North America, it is now recognized as standing with Russia and its invasion of Ukraine.”
The graffiti was noticed after ecumenical services on Sunday following a rally on Notre Dame to show support for the war-torn country.
“People are very sad and frustrated,” said Bodnar. “In this community, there is no place for hate like that, especially at a church of all places.”
The “Z” that was painted on the building has already been removed.
Work to remove the graffiti on the bronze plaques will be more complex, he said. One plaque commemorates 1,000 years of Catholicism in Ukraine, while the other commemorates 100 years of the Ukrainian community in Greater Sudbury.
“We don’t know what the cost will be to have the graffiti removed,” he said.
Greater Sudbury Police Service is investigating, said spokesperson Kaitlyn Dunn.
GSPS was called around 8:05 a.m. on April 11 regarding a hate-bias incident at the church.
“It is believed that the incident took place somewhere between 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 8 and 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 9,” said Dunn. “The investigation into the incident is ongoing.”
Anyone with information related to a suspicious person(s) or vehicle in the area at that time is asked to phone 705-675-9171.
