Newly released findings outline how a violent offender’s actions became the basis for a controversial FBI intelligence memo linking traditional Catholic groups to extremism.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A Justice Department review released Thursday provides new details about how a federal investigation into a violent offender in Virginia evolved into a broader intelligence effort that drew scrutiny for its focus on Catholic communities.
The report, examining efforts to address alleged anti-Christian bias within federal agencies, outlines how a 2023 FBI memo from the bureau’s Richmond Field Office relied on outside sources and limited evidence to assess potential threats tied to “radical traditionalist Catholic” ideology.
FBI Anti Catholic Memo by yourNEWS Media
According to the findings, the memo’s origins trace back to the case of Xavier Lopez, a convicted felon later sentenced to eight years in prison in 2025 for illegal weapons possession. Federal authorities described Lopez as harboring violent intentions and extremist views, including plans targeting minority groups and possession of materials such as Nazi insignia and improvised weapons.
Court records show Lopez had attended a chapel associated with the Society of St. Pius X, a traditionalist Catholic group that maintains a complex relationship with the Vatican and has resisted reconciliation efforts, including a recent rejection of dialogue.
Investigators determined, however, that Lopez’s beliefs and intentions were not shaped by the congregation he attended. In online activity later obtained by the FBI, including posts and records seized through legal process, Lopez expressed frustration that members of the church rejected extremist views, writing that he encountered parishioners who believed “Hitler bad.”
Despite those distinctions, the Richmond Field Office incorporated the case into a broader analytical framework. The memo cited a 2021 list compiled by the Southern Poverty Law Center identifying certain Catholic organizations as extremist, even though none were directly connected to Lopez.
The Justice Department report concluded that investigators “justified its actions through misplaced reliance on baseless allegations” and emphasized that no direct link was established between Lopez’s crimes and his religious affiliation.
Documents tied to the case detail Lopez’s criminal history, including a prior arrest for vandalism and a subsequent charge involving paramilitary activity, as outlined in court filings. During a search of his residence, agents reported finding incendiary devices, weapons components and extremist symbols.
In correspondence from jail, including a letter, Lopez described his actions as motivated by a perceived religious obligation, writing that he preferred to “die by the sword in the Lord’s name [rather] than to live long on earth peacefully serving Satan’s laws.”
Evidence from the case against Xavier Lopez. US DOJ/Court documents.
FBI communications released as part of the report show agents sought to question Lopez extensively about his church, including whether others shared his beliefs or supported his activities. The inquiry extended to clergy members, including a priest who had visited Lopez in jail and declined to provide detailed information without consulting legal counsel.
The Justice Department review found that investigators interpreted the priest’s response as suspicious, prompting additional scrutiny of individuals associated with traditional Catholic groups.
The memo’s analytical conclusions drew internal criticism within the FBI. One senior official noted that the document relied on assumptions without sufficient evidence, while another emphasized that the bureau does not formally recognize “radical traditionalist Catholic” as a domestic terrorism category.
The report also highlights concerns about the credibility of external sources used in the memo. A federal grand jury indictment referenced in the findings alleges that funds raised by the Southern Poverty Law Center were improperly directed toward individuals tied to extremist organizations, raising questions about the reliability of its classifications.
Public disclosure of the memo in 2023 prompted congressional scrutiny, with then-Attorney General Merrick Garland later distancing the department from its conclusions. Internal FBI correspondence from that period reflects concern among agents about the potential for misinterpretation and politicization of the analysis.
The Justice Department stated that additional findings from a separate review will further examine how investigative practices in the Richmond Field Office may have affected individuals based on religious association rather than evidence of criminal activity.
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