Police say suspect in Neillsville WI church burglary spoke in ‘demonic voice’, referenced Satan

Pictured: Seth Meier, taken in 2015 

Clark County (WQOW) — Authorities have identified the man accused of vandalizing a Clark County church.

Neillsville police said Seth Meier, of Lublin, confessed to going into St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville Thursday night and damaging statues and wall hangings.

Meier was found at a home in Neillsville. The homeowner told police that Meier admitted to vandalizing the church and had been acting strange for the past five days, even speaking in a demonic voice. She said Seth and his brother, Tyler, had been talking in verse and talking about religion a lot.

According to police, Meier appeared to be under the influence of drugs. He was taken to the hospital to be checked out. While there, police said he continued to speak in a demonic voice. At one point, police said Meier said the last thing he remembered was “destroying the insolent temple”.

During his interrogation, Meier said he blessed the altar with snow. When asked how he blessed it, the criminal complaint states Meier said: “I dumped some snow on the altar and I said I bless you Satan in the name of Jesus Christ.” He went on to say he damaged a cross because it was not really Jesus. He said he left the church after “the father” told him to.

continue at WAOW

Well isn't that special.  The end part is odd.  It could be mental illness, drugs or possession or maybe a combination of the three. 

St Mary's Church in Neillsville vandalized, most of the statuary was destroyed, Bp. Callahan to preside at Mass in reparation for desecration

St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville was vandalized late Thursday night or early Friday morning.

The following is statement from Father Joseph, the Pastor at St. Mary’s. “Last night St. Mary Parish Church in Neillsville was vandalized. The damage, which was discovered this morning, was limited to the interior of the church. Most of the statuary was destroyed. The police were called immediately and are making their investigation. No one was injured. Heartfelt thanks go out to all who helped during this incident. The work of the law enforcement and the many others who came to help with the cleanup is greatly appreciated. We are saddened that our church was desecrated and the sanctuary was violated. Crimes committed in a church affect and do injury to the entire Christian community, which the church building in a sense symbolizes and represents. St. Mary’s is a house of prayer and we ask people to pray for the perpetrators so that the Lord may give them the grace for conversion.”

“Reparation for the desecration of a church is to be carried out with a penitential rite celebrated as soon as possible. St. Mary’s will have a penitential service at 3 pm on Saturday. All the faithful are invited to participate in reparation for the desecration done to our church. Weather permitting Bishop William Patrick Callahan will join our community for the Saturday Vigil Mass. Please keep the faithful of St. Mary Parish in your prayers during this time of need.”

CWB Radio

Update: Person of interest arrested after Neillsville church vandalized

NEILLSVILLE, Wis.-- Neillsville Police have been following up on leads and officers have arrested a person of interest in the vandalism complaint. The identity of the person arrested will not be made public at this time.

WEAU13