Name: Father Gerald Murray on Finnerty
Uploaded: 2025-12-24T14:56:46.808Z
Duration: 4 min 23 s
Description: Father Gerald Murray on the war on Christmas as Germany adds barricades to Christmas markets after terrorist threat.

Father Gerald Murray on the war on Christmas as Germany adds barricades to Christmas markets after terrorist threat.

New York

Fr. Gerald Murray, pastor at St. Joseph's Church in New York City, discussed heightened security measures at Christmas events in Europe and the United States, citing the installation of concrete barriers and concerns over attacks on Christian symbols. He attributed some of these incidents to radical Islamist groups and emphasized the need for accountability and stronger police enforcement to protect public celebrations.

Fr. Murray also commented on debates regarding religious displays in public spaces, referencing a case in South Carolina where a nativity scene was removed. He argued that freedom of religious expression should include public displays of faith and criticized efforts to remove such symbols, stating they contradict American tradition and law.

Father Gerald Murray on Finnerty

Joining us now for more is one of the few priests who has been brave enough to talk about this and call this out. Pastor at St. Joseph's Church here in New York City, Fr. Gerald Murray. Fr. Murray, Merry Christmas. Great to have you with us. Appreciate you being here. German officials have installed these giant concrete barriers to prevent ramming attacks with vehicles. It's happening in major cities across America as well. Is this the new normal at Christmas? It's become that in Europe, and this is really sad. Remember, they let in about a million Syrian refugees a few years ago in Germany, and that has not worked out well. I mean, there are these unassimilated males who basically look down on European females, attack them. They certainly attack the Catholic and Christian religion with symbols, you know, the Christmas type attacks. Yeah. No, it's terrible. I mean, we preach tolerance and acceptance, and we, you know, extend that to people. And then you get this in return. There's got to be some, you know, bringing people to account. And I'm glad the authorities uncovered that plot. Why do you think Islamists, radical Islamists, we have to say radical. Look, if you're doing this type of thing, you are radical by definition. Why are they so threatened by Christmas, by Santa, by saying Merry Christmas, by Christmas trees, by Jesus? This is, for them, it's symbolic of Christianity. Radical Islam doesn't think any other religion has a right to exist. Basically, Mohammed said go out there and spread this faith, and that's what they do. Okay, this is a Christian country. Well, we're a Christian country demographically and geographically. This is all settled by Christians. And we were founded as a Christian country. Exactly. And that's quite clear. So, you know, we have to tell people we have no objection to people believing in the Islamic faith as long as you don't try to attack us. Yeah. Because that's not part of acceptable behavior. And certainly you have to show love to neighbor, but you also say don't try to kill us. Yeah, and politicians should be doing more, not just to call this out, to make sure that people can do what they want to do and celebrate Christmas without issues. Don't forget, what happens in Europe typically makes its way to the United States. This is in Copenhagen. Muslims are preaching the Koran in front of Christmas trees deliberately. Take a look. And they've got the music playing. This is a Christmas market. I want to show you another. This is a Christmas market in Brussels, literally being taken over by Muslims. Take a look. Is it time for Christian nations to stop turning the other cheek and letting stuff like that happen at Christmas celebrations? Well, it's time for vigorous police enforcement. And I fault the authorities for allowing this to happen. This is a provocation to go in front of a Christmas tree or a Christmas market and start singing Islamic hymns and then show smoke bombs and shouting. This is unacceptable behavior, whether it's religious or not. But when it is specifically religiously targeted hatred against Christians, they're not letting us celebrate our feast in peace. Is that why they're let into the country to do this? They should be told you are not allowed to stay here if you behave like that. Agreed. And just quickly, this is in South Carolina here at home. A Democrat mayor asked for the removal of a nativity scene. The argument was the display makes this city appear to be not neutral on religion. By that logic, that would mean no more menorahs, no more angels, no more stars, no more crosses. Where does it stop? Should he tear down every church in his town? You know, I mean, what is this? This logic is faulty. Yeah, this man is not doing that. The mayor did this, by the way. Oh, it's a woman. Yeah. OK, Miss Mayor, you are not upholding American tradition and law. Freedom of religion, freedom of religious expression includes the fact that you can go into the public square and say we believe in Jesus Christ. Yeah. And we're going to display this Jewish people and put menorahs up. Yeah. You can't do this. You can't tell us to get out of here. That's no good. Father Murray, Merry Christmas. Great to see you. Thanks so much for being here tonight. We appreciate it. Thank you, Rob.

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