"I would like to express my distress and dismay and that of my clergy and fellow Church of Ireland members in Glengormley and throughout our Diocese of Connor at the arson attack which has destroyed St Bernard's Roman Catholic Church in Glengormley.

"The hurt caused to the priests and people of that parish must be very great. A church is a sacred place where we encounter God in our worship and where many valued spiritual moments and events are experienced.

"There can be no justification for causing people such unnecessary hurt and distress.

"This and the many attacks on people and their homes are to be condemned for the hurt and fear they are causing. More than that our respective communities are being increasingly alienated and the many good efforts to make our province a safer and better place to accommodate all our people are being damaged.

"I plead that every effort be made this summer to keep troubles off our streets and roads and that all such attacks on Houses and Churches should cease."