The leaders of the U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) are urging U.S politicians to denounce what they are calling an "alarming rate" in the rise of vandalism against Catholic churches and pro-life pregnancy centers.
Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore and Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York have released a statement noting that attacks and vandalism against Catholic churches have been on the increase for the past two years.
They first called on elected officials to condemn such attacks in 2021.
Following the leak of a supreme court draft opnion regarding women's health organisations, the attacks have become almost daily and the lives of justices have been threatened.
The Clergymen wrote: "This past January, we prayed that all religious communities would be free to worship without fear.
Only rarely have the motives been clear; when they were, it was often opposition to the Church's teachings on life in the womb."
The Chairman, Cardinal Dolan of the USCCB's Committee on Religious Liberty, and Rt Rev Baltimore, the chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Pro-Life Activities said: "In light of this, we urge our elected officials to take a strong stand against this violence, and our law enforcement authorities to increase their vigilance in protecting those who are in increased danger.
"We thank those who have already done so, and we encourage them to continue."