“One of the Most Vicious and Tragic Crimes Ever Perpetrated Against Humanity”

In his column for today’s On the Square , Timothy George remembers the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church back in 1963:

Carolyn felt confused. She walked into the sanctuary, where the clock hanging on the wall indicated that the time was 10:22 a.m. Then she heard the blast. Boom! For a second, she thought it was thunder or a lightning strike. Then she realized—it must be a bomb. She vividly remembers two things from that horror-filled moment: the sound of feet scurrying past her to get to the exits, and looking up at the stained glass window—the same one that had brought her such comfort when she looked into the face of Jesus at her baptism. The window was still intact . . . all except the face. Jesus’ beautiful face was gone.

Read the rest here . Here’s the full text of Martin Luther King’s eulogy at their funeral , which actually made me cry at my desk . . . so if you are unduly attached to your dignity, you should read it when you get home.

You can also view some of the New York Times’ coverage of the bombing here , and read an editorial from the Milwaukee Sentinel here .

Not a single person guilty of this crime was brought to justice until 1977 , when a prosecutor decided to re-open the case .

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