‘Suspicious’ Arizona Church Fire Occurs As State Abortion Vote Nears

An early morning fire devastated St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Arizona on Friday, causing significant damage to the sanctuary and its interior. The fire is under investigation, with authorities labeling it “suspicious” as Arizona’s vote on a major abortion amendment, Proposition 139, nears.

Father Ariel Luston, the parish priest, arrived at the church to find the sanctuary destroyed, including the pews, stained glass, and choir loft. The fire left the community in shock, but Luston shared his parishioners’ resolve, saying, “We will rise from the ashes.” Support has poured in from the local community as Luston works with investigators to determine the cause.

Casa Grande Fire Department fire marshal Frank Ricci has involved the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) due to the suspicious nature of the blaze. Ricci indicated that no theory has been ruled out, and investigators are analyzing evidence collected from the scene.

St. Anthony of Padua has actively voiced opposition to Proposition 139 on social media, standing with Arizona’s bishops in calling for voters to reject the amendment. Church leaders argue the amendment would remove current abortion limits, allow abortions up to birth, and eliminate parental consent requirements for minors. Supporters of the amendment have said it would protect abortion access in the state.

CatholicVote, a national Catholic advocacy group, has tracked violence against Catholic churches and pro-life centers and noted a rise in incidents in states with abortion-related measures on the ballot. Tommy Valentine, director of the Catholic Accountability Project, stated, “We hope this fire is not related to political violence, but there’s reason for suspicion.” He urged authorities to complete a thorough investigation.

With the vote on Proposition 139 approaching, Arizona’s Catholic community is focused on the investigation, hoping for answers while rallying around St. Anthony of Padua.