A man identified as Louis Geri was arrested on the steps of St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington D.C. on October 5, just hours before the traditional Red Mass, a ceremony in which the new judicial year is entrusted. Police officers and federal teams intervened after detecting that the suspect had set up a camp in front of the temple and was carrying functional grenades and materials for a possible remote detonation. According to police documents, the detainee stated to the agents: “I have explosives/bombs”.
A manifesto of religious hatred
During the search, authorities seized papers titled «Written Negotiations to Avoid the Destruction of Property through the Detonation of Explosives» (Written Negotiations for the Avoidance of Destruction of Property via Detonation of Explosives), in which the accused expressed hatred toward the Catholic Church, as well as animosity toward members of Judaism, U.S. Supreme Court justices, and immigration agencies. According to the police, the objective of the plan was to attack Catholics gathered in the cathedral and Supreme Court justices who traditionally attend the mass.
Charges and investigation
Geri was charged with several offenses, including manufacture and possession of explosive devices, threats, attempted use of destructive devices, and hate crime enhancements motivated by religious hatred. He remains in custody without bail, while the federal and local investigation continues into the origin of the materials and the degree of preparation for the attack.
Impact on the Red Mass and community response
According to various media reports, the thwarted threat prompted the U.S. Supreme Court justices to avoid attending this year’s Red Mass for security reasons. The celebration—with medieval roots and a longstanding presence in Washington D.C.—brings together judges, lawyers, and legislators to pray for God’s guidance in the administration of justice. The Archdiocese of Washington and the local Catholic community thanked the police for their swift action and emphasized the gravity of an attempted attack with anti-Catholic motivation.
The case reignites the debate on protection of temples and acts of worship. Authorities have strengthened preventive protocols at high-profile religious events and urge the faithful to provide collaboration and immediate reporting of suspicious behavior.