Statement released Monday by Bruce Olsen, managing director of public affairs for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
“Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were dismayed this weekend to learn of the insensitivity and disrespect shown to religious artifacts of the Sangre de Cristo Catholic Church in San Luis, Colo., and that Latter-day Saint missionaries were evidently responsible during their missionary service in 2006. Their actions do not represent the high standards of behavior for which our missionaries are known all over the world.
“The church has begun a thorough investigation of the incident. We are providing the names of those involved to law enforcement officials and will continue to cooperate fully with those investigating the incident as well as with officials of the Roman Catholic Church. Those missionaries who have since returned home will face disciplinary action from the church. The missionary who was still serving in Colorado has also been disciplined and his mission terminated. Church leaders will look for ways to repair the damage that has been caused to relationships with the community.
“The disrespect depicted in photographs published on the Internet and in the news media is inexcusable. Respect for other faiths is a cardinal tenet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The church has worked for many years side by side with leaders and members of other faiths, including the Roman Catholic Church, and has often helped them with construction or renovation of buildings for religious worship. We also work closely with Catholic Charities in providing humanitarian assistance to alleviate suffering across the globe.
“The church expresses its profound regret and sincere apologies to the members of the Roman Catholic faith, to the members of the Sangre de Cristo Catholic Church and the townspeople of San Luis, for this senseless act. We have also arranged for a meeting with Catholic leaders to offer our apologies.”
