A US federal grant program that provides security funding for mosques, synagogues and churches will receive $400 million more than it had the previous year amid rising threats, [1] according to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
The total available for 2024 now stands at $700 million.
The money can be used to set up security cameras, build fences, strengthen windows, and hire security guards, among other things.
Catholic churches have experienced security concerns ever since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, allowing states and the federal government to restrict abortion.
Since then, dozens of churches have been subject to vandalism, including the beheading of statues and satanic graffiti, among other attacks.
In December, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) urged lawmakers to include more funding for security for houses of worship.
The USCCB says there have been more than 300 acts of destruction at Catholic churches since May 2020.