Diocesan News10 Mar 11

Statement by the Rt Revd Harold Miller, Bishop of Down and Dromore, concerning the sectarian attacks on St Matthew's Church, East Belfast

"I was deeply shocked to hear that St Matthew’s Church on the Newtownards Road has been vandalised for the second time in five days. The daubing of the church with sectarian graffiti is troubling in the extreme. We all know too well the dangers of sectarianism escalating in Northern Ireland.

"This afternoon, I visited the parish priest and expressed my own concerns and the good wishes and support of Church of Ireland people in this situation. The invasion of the grounds of a place of worship to do damage is a sign of the loss of spiritual and even human values in parts of our society. I encourage all to stand against such behaviour no matter which community it is targeted against.

"This happened at the beginning of Lent, which is a time of reflection and lamentation, and an opportunity for all of us to seek God’s will as we move forward in the direction of a shared future. Challenges and blips along the road will not stop us on the road to the fullest reconciliation and peace."

+Harold