Four men say decision to remove the sword from a crucifix at the Toowong cemetery was inspired by a peace message delivered by the pontiff

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Four men accused of desecrating a Brisbane war memorial say the words of Pope Francis inspired them to remove a brass sword from a stone crucifix.

James Joseph Dowling, 61, and three other men are on trial in Brisbane magistrates court for allegedly vandalising the monument at the Toowong cemetery on Ash Wednesday.

They have pleaded not guilty to wilful damage.

Dowling told the court on Monday their decision to remove the sword was inspired by a peace message delivered by the pope.

Man accused of desecrating cemetery war memorial says he had God's permission Read more

“We were influenced by Pope Francis’s words ... where he said religion can never be used to justify war, and peace alone is holy,” Dowling said. “To actually go as far as to remove Jesus from the cross and replace it with a sword was the ultimate desecration of this symbol of our faith.”

Dowling said the group “had nothing against the memorial” but were seeking to make it better by removing the sword and using an anvil to transform it into a garden hoe.

“We didn’t set out to destroy or damage it, we wanted to transform it and improve it, which is what we did,” he said.

He told the court he came up with the idea, drove the group to the cemetery, brought the tools for the job and banners with religious verses, and decided they should sing a hymn when the sword was removed.

But he denied being the group’s ringleader.

The trial continues.