Story Archive

There Were no Bats in the Belfry, But...

For three years, members of St. Ann Roman Catholic Church in Arlington, Va., had noticed food would go missing from time to time. But nobody knew why until an air conditioning repairman heard noises in the attic and called a church official to investigate. That’s when the makeshift bed was discovered along with the church’s secret resident: William Barker, 42. According to a police spokesman, Barker told them he began attending services at the church after having a meal there. Then, after the members dispersed, he’d use a ladder to climb into the attic, pull the ladder up behind him, and move the ceiling tile back into place to disguise his hideaway. Barker was arrested and charged with unlawful entry, and burglary in connection with a break-in at another church. “I had no clue about this, and I am a reasonably active church person,” said St. Ann’s member and volunteer Mary Green. “The situation shows the dreadful plight of homeless people. On the one hand, we don’t want strange people around school. But on other hand, this guy needed help.” (MS/Washington Post) ...If only there was some place nearby that was charged with feeding and caring for those who can’t care for themselves.