St Patrick Cathedral vandalized with Molotov cocktail; FBI investigating

The Catholic Diocese of El Paso said St. Patrick Cathedral was the target of an act of vandalism early Monday morning.

According to El Paso police officers at the scene, an individual attempted to throw a lighted bottle – a.k.a. Molotov cocktail – through one of the windows at St Patrick Cathedral.

Officers say the bottle broke one of the glass windows but bounced off the glass before landing and exploding on the sidewalk.

A small scorch mark was can be seen in a roped off area just outside the northeast entrance to the church.

The Catholic Diocese of El Paso released a statement saying “We can confirm that an act of vandalism took place at St. Patrick Cathedral last night. There is currently an active investigation by the FBI. We will defer all further questions and comments to the FBI.”

Police say no major damage occurred inside of the church.

The cathedral is equipped with security cameras but no pictures or video of the incident have been released.