WESTPORT, Mass. (AP) -- The pastor of a Roman Catholic parish in Westport says he's willing to forgive two brothers charged with desecrating the church.
Authorities say Martin Cutler and Jesse Cutler broke into St. John the Baptist church earlier this month, broke a crucifix in half, stole several valuable items including a century-old tabernacle, and urinated in the holy water.
Twenty-nine-year-old Martin Cutler of Taunton pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges including committing a hate crime, malicious damage to property and destruction of a place of worship. He was held after his bail was revoked in an unrelated case.
Twenty-seven-year-old Jesse Cutler of Bourne will be arraigned at a later date on similar charges.
The Rev. Leonard Hindsley says he and "parishioners have been praying ... for a spirit of Christian forgiveness."