A young man entered Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Braamfontein on Thursday 14 May and destroyed its marble altar while screaming religious profanities. Father Russell Pollitt SJ described the attack as deeply troubling for a congregation that has long viewed the site as a refuge. Police processed the scene as worshippers arrived for midday mass.
The man, believed to be a South African in his late 20s or early 30s and about 1.65 metres tall, walked down the nave and leapt onto the altar. He pulled down heavy marble archangels with brute force before striding out. CCTV footage shows him wearing black jeans, sneakers, a hoodie with the message Only Jesus Can, an orange beanie and headphones.
Father Pollitt noted that the targeted altar holds the tabernacle where communion is reserved. He said the attack left congregants disturbed and raised questions about safety in a church that has served the community for 90 years. The man had visited the church two days earlier to sit briefly in the nave.
Pollitt has recently criticised Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein for comments on Pope Leo. He stressed that disagreements should not lead to property destruction. Police are investigating but no motive has been confirmed.
