On Monday night or Tuesday morning, vandals lit the crosses, charring them at their bases. Police think the act was connected to the spray-painting of a nearby school and seven cars because the messages were "vulgar, sexual and anti-religious," said police spokeswoman Detective Katherine Collins.

Someone set fire to the crosses again Thursday morning, searing them mostly around their bases but causing one to fall down. Police and federal Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents are investigating.

Human rights activist Naomi Parker said she wonders why anyone would burn a cross, because society has condemned cross burnings for decades.

"If they are willing to do that, what else are they willing to do?" she said. "That's the scary part."

The vandals did not target the church building. But someone spray-painted anti-religious slogans, including "We want your soul" on Stephen Foster Elementary School and on the seven cars parked on Southwest 22nd Street, Collins said.

Investigators don't think whoever is responsible was motivated by the politics within the religious denomination.

But they noted that the Episcopal House of Deputies, meeting in Ohio, voted down a request Tuesday by international Anglican leaders to temporarily stop electing openly gay bishops. On Wednesday, the Episcopal Church agreed to "exercise restraint by not consenting" to the consecration of openly gay bishops, a move criticized by some as too vague.

Some conservative Episcopalians also are upset the national church named a woman as presiding bishop. Katharine Jefferts Schori was chosen Sunday.

Peoples said he did not think the church was targeted because of the policies of the national church leadership.

"I don't think it was an act of protest," he said. "I think it was an act of vandalism."

Peoples said some church members may keep watch over the church grounds to prevent repeat vandalism.

Peoples said St. Ambrose members would sand and repaint the crosses.

"They couldn't keep Christ in the grave, and they won't keep these crosses down," he said.

"I feel sad. But I'm more concerned about the mindset of the persons who would do that. The wood can be replaced," parishioner Chris Williams said.

Whoever is responsible, parishioner Andy Hudson said, "we will forgive them because we're Christians, but we will prosecute."

Gregory Lewis can be reached at glewis@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4203.

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