Disrupting Christmas Eve Services: A Maryland Man’s Unholy Behavior
The Christmas season is supposed to be a time of joy, giving, and togetherness. However, for two Catholic churches in Maryland, the holiday was marred by a 56-year-old man’s bizarre and disruptive behavior. Thomas Campbell Bolling Von Goetz, a resident of St. Mary’s County, has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of causing a disturbance during a religious service and endangering citizens.
On December 24, just after 5 p.m., Von Goetz entered Holy Angels Catholic Church in Hollywood, Maryland, during Mass. He approached the altar and threw an onion in the aisle, disrupting the peace of the attendees. Witnesses reported that he then exited the church, only to throw an orange at another man, causing him to attack.
This was not Von Goetz’s only act of vandalism that night. Later, during midnight Mass at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Leonardtown, he poured whiskey into holy water, disrupted the ceremony, and threatened to harm parishioners. As churchgoers escorted him out of the church, he attempted but failed to attack several people with whiskey bottles.
Bizarrely, Von Goetz’s actions seemed to be more akin to a prankster’s stunt than a criminal act. However, his behavior not only disrupted the religious services but also caused emotional distress to the attendees and could have led to serious physical harm.
The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and the Catholic churches involved are taking these incidents seriously and have charged Von Goetz with multiple crimes, including second-degree assault, disorderly conduct, destruction of religious property, religious crime against a group, obstructing religious activity, threatening mass violence, and disturbing the peace.
Von Goetz is currently being held at the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.
FAQ:
Q: What were the charges filed against Von Goetz?
A: Von Goetz was charged with multiple counts of causing a disturbance during a religious service and endangering citizens.
Q: What were Von Goetz’s actions during the midnight Mass at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church?
A: He poured whiskey into holy water, disrupted the ceremony, and threatened to harm parishioners.
Q: Did Von Goetz cause physical harm to anyone?
A: No, he did not cause physical harm to anyone during the incidents. However, his actions could have led to serious physical harm.
Q: Is Von Goetz being held in custody?
A: Yes, Von Goetz is being held at the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.
Conclusion:
The Christmas season is a time for joy, giving, and coming together as a community. Von Goetz’s actions during the holiday services were a stark reminder that some individuals can choose to disrupt and harm others, even in a place of worship. His behavior was not only disruptive but also caused emotional distress to the attendees and could have led to serious physical harm. It’s essential for authorities to take such incidents seriously and hold individuals accountable for their actions.
