Man Charged with Hate Crime after Santa Maria Goretti Prank Scandal in Edmonton, Alberta

The man who conducted a public indecency on December 13, 2020 at Santa Maria Goretti Church has now been charged with a hate crime in Edmonton, Alberta, reports the Catholic News Agency. The young man had been accompanied by two other men, attending the mass under falsified names. The suspect rushed to the altar after holy communion, and began to speak to the priest. He also opened a bottle of wine, to which the priest protested. Stepping away from the altar he exposed himself in front of the congregants and the families celebrating their baptismal ceremonies. Immediately after he ran out of the Church and the police later located him. The incident had been filmed and uploaded online, but later was taken down. The suspect, who's name has not been released, has been banned from all Diocesan properties.