By John Q. Hosedrinker 
In summary, Thomas Campbell Bolling Von Goetz, 56, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses after disrupting Christmas Eve services at two St. Mary’s County churches. His actions included dropping an onion at one church and, at a second, pouring whiskey into the holy water, threatening parishioners, and assaulting individuals with fruit and a whiskey bottle. Following a medical evaluation, Von Goetz faced charges ranging from assault and disorderly conduct to religious crimes and threats of mass violence. The incidents resulted in significant disruption to the Christmas Eve services.
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A man was arrested for disrupting Christmas church services at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, culminating in a bizarre incident involving whiskey and holy water, according to deputies. The series of events began rather strangely, with the man, whose name hasn’t been released, dropping an onion in the aisle as he approached the altar, causing a disturbance during the service. This unusual act in itself disrupted the peace and quiet of the mass, setting the stage for more unexpected events.
The situation escalated significantly later that evening during midnight mass. Deputies reported that the same man allegedly poured whiskey into the holy water font, an act of sacrilege that shocked and angered many attendees. This wasn’t just a casual pouring; he allegedly also threatened harm to parishioners. As churchgoers attempted to escort him from the building, he allegedly tried to hit them with the whiskey bottle he had been carrying. The escalating aggression moved beyond mere disruption; it turned into a threat of violence.
Before the midnight mass incident, the man was also observed assaulting another person outside the church by throwing tangerines at them. This followed a previous incident where he had dropped an onion onto the church floor before the start of service. The odd assortment of his chosen weapons – an onion, tangerines, and a bottle of whiskey – only added to the strangeness of the situation. It certainly raises questions about his motivations and mental state. Carrying such items, particularly alcohol, into a church service, is certainly unusual. The incident highlights the need for increased security measures within religious institutions, to ensure the safety and well-being of its members.
The combination of these acts—dropping an onion, throwing tangerines, pouring whiskey into holy water, and threatening violence—suggests the man was significantly impaired or suffering from a mental health crisis, possibly even a psychotic break. His actions defied any sense of logic or reason, showcasing an unpredictable and erratic behavior pattern. This highlights the urgency to address issues around mental health within society, ensuring people experiencing such episodes get the appropriate support they need. There was a clear violation of public order and religious sanctity, requiring prompt law enforcement intervention.
His arrest on charges of disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace seem inadequate, considering the severity of the situation. The addition of whiskey to holy water certainly qualifies as defacing religious property and potentially warrants a more serious charge. It’s worth considering whether additional charges should be added, considering the escalation of threats and violence demonstrated. While he had the right to exercise his beliefs, his actions went far beyond expressing dissatisfaction and crossed into criminal territory.
The absurdity of the situation hasn’t been lost on observers. The juxtaposition of the mundane (dropping an onion) with the sacrilegious (pouring whiskey into holy water) generated a wave of disbelief and amusement online. This odd collection of acts is a testament to the unpredictable nature of human behavior and the many ways individuals can express their frustrations or mental health struggles. However, the amusement cannot overshadow the serious nature of the incident and the potential for harm it caused to the church and its parishioners. The seriousness of such actions should never be downplayed.
Beyond the humor, the incident prompts a serious discussion about public order, respect for religious institutions, and the need for adequate mental health support. The man’s actions, though seemingly bizarre, represent a clear violation of public peace and safety. This underscores the importance of finding a balance between safeguarding the freedom of expression and ensuring the protection and safety of others and their spaces for worship. The incident, as unique as it is, should not diminish the need to take it seriously.