ANOTHER Catholic church was burned in an arson attack early yesterday morning.
The blaze was spotted by a passing RUC patrol at St Colman's Church at Annaclone, near Banbndge, Co Down. It is understood a window was smashed and petrol poured into the sacristy. It was then set alight and the sacristy was burned out in the blaze. The main body of the church suffered serious smoke damage.
Father Frank Kearney said the sacristy was completely burnt. "A lot of the artefacts, like the chalices and candelabra and other religious objects including vestments, were destroyed. The place is pretty well gutted.
"Personally I am saddened, because I thought this community was above this type of activity and community relations have been quite good and I would have good relations with the other side of the community," said Father Kearney.
One of the parishioners at St Colman's said he was not surprised the church was attacked, given other attacks recently.
"I am very, very sad, but you have to expect it, don't you, in this country? I did not expect it, but it was in the back of my mind."
In the early hours of Tuesday morning, St Peter's Catholic Church at Stoneyford, Co Antrim, was completely burnt out.
Last week the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Mullavilly, Co Armagh, was destroyed in an arson attack. Also recently, St Comgall's Church in Ant rim was set on fire and St MacNissi's in Randalstown in Co Antrim was completely burnt.
A Church of Ireland hall in Dungiven, Co Derry, was also attacked by arsonists.