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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jul/19/man-accused-of-desecrating-cemetery-war-memorial-says-he-had-gods-permission
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| Man accused of desecrating cemetery war memorial says he had God's permission | Man accused of desecrating cemetery war memorial says he had God's permission |
| (21 days later) | |
| Two men accused of vandalising a Brisbane war memorial were filmed removing a brass sword from a stone cross but insisted they had a “higher permission”, their trial has heard. | Two men accused of vandalising a Brisbane war memorial were filmed removing a brass sword from a stone cross but insisted they had a “higher permission”, their trial has heard. |
| Setting out with a mallet, anvil, crowbar and ladder, James Joseph Dowling, 61, and Tim Webb allegedly committed the desecration at the Toowong Cemetery on Ash Wednesday with other members of the Brisbane Catholic Workers group. | Setting out with a mallet, anvil, crowbar and ladder, James Joseph Dowling, 61, and Tim Webb allegedly committed the desecration at the Toowong Cemetery on Ash Wednesday with other members of the Brisbane Catholic Workers group. |
| In a series of short clips and pictures shown to the Brisbane magistrates court on Wednesday, Dowling can be seen scaling the cross. | In a series of short clips and pictures shown to the Brisbane magistrates court on Wednesday, Dowling can be seen scaling the cross. |
| He tried to lever the sword from the cross with a crowbar but when he couldn’t loosen the hilt, he cut the 1.8 metre blade free with a hacksaw. | He tried to lever the sword from the cross with a crowbar but when he couldn’t loosen the hilt, he cut the 1.8 metre blade free with a hacksaw. |
| Next, Webb used the mallet and anvil to beat the memorial’s “sword of sacrifice” into a plough shape, the court heard. | Next, Webb used the mallet and anvil to beat the memorial’s “sword of sacrifice” into a plough shape, the court heard. |
| In a police interview the day after the alleged desecration, Dowling admitted to removing the sword, and when asked whether he was authorised to do so he cited a “higher permission”. | In a police interview the day after the alleged desecration, Dowling admitted to removing the sword, and when asked whether he was authorised to do so he cited a “higher permission”. |
| Webb said he was taking action over the church’s complicity in wars and its violent history in another video. But the two men – as well as Dowling’s son Franz and Andrew Paine – have pleaded not guilty to wilful damage. | Webb said he was taking action over the church’s complicity in wars and its violent history in another video. But the two men – as well as Dowling’s son Franz and Andrew Paine – have pleaded not guilty to wilful damage. |
| Dowling, who is self-represented, argued no damage was caused. | Dowling, who is self-represented, argued no damage was caused. |
| “It’s blasphemy to allow a sword to be placed on a Christian cross,” Dowling said in a police interview, which was played at their trial. | “It’s blasphemy to allow a sword to be placed on a Christian cross,” Dowling said in a police interview, which was played at their trial. |
| “We felt we were called by God to make a strong statement when we saw that blasphemy.” | “We felt we were called by God to make a strong statement when we saw that blasphemy.” |
| The monument, which has stood since 1924, was repaired before Anzac Day at a cost of $10,000, the court heard. | The monument, which has stood since 1924, was repaired before Anzac Day at a cost of $10,000, the court heard. |
| During their trial, Franz Dowling and Paine said there was no evidence they were involved in the alleged desecration. | During their trial, Franz Dowling and Paine said there was no evidence they were involved in the alleged desecration. |
| Franz Dowling said his only involvement was playing a guitar and praying but police prosecutor Kevin Carmont argued his music was encouraging the alleged vandals. | Franz Dowling said his only involvement was playing a guitar and praying but police prosecutor Kevin Carmont argued his music was encouraging the alleged vandals. |
| After allegedly removing the sword and holding a short prayer service, the group left two documents. | After allegedly removing the sword and holding a short prayer service, the group left two documents. |
| One was titled The Early Church on War and the other Beat Swords into Ploughshares – a sentiment Dowling said was contained in the Book of Isaiah. | One was titled The Early Church on War and the other Beat Swords into Ploughshares – a sentiment Dowling said was contained in the Book of Isaiah. |
| “That was to explain what we had just done,” Dowling said in the police interview. Dowling left his name and number at the bottom of the documents, the court heard. | “That was to explain what we had just done,” Dowling said in the police interview. Dowling left his name and number at the bottom of the documents, the court heard. |
| The trial continues on Monday. | The trial continues on Monday. |