.png)
A Catholic priest, in Northern Ireland, has been left in a "serious condition" after a man walked into church asking for Confession before mass and attacked him with a bottle.
Fr John Murray was violently struck on the head at his St Patrick’s Church in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, on Sunday morning. The priest was rushed to hospital for a head injury and is in a "serious condition".
Father Murray was hit with the bottle at around 10.10am on Sunday, by a man who entered the church in the small town in County Down.
In a statement, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said inquiries are ongoing: “At this time, we suspect this may be connected to a serious assault in the St. Patrick’s Avenue area of Downpatrick on Sunday.”
The priest had been preparing for what would have been one of his last masses in church before retiring.
The local church's FB Page released :
This evening we hold Canon John Murray in our prayers. He was seriously assaulted when he was asked to hear someone’s Confession just prior to what was to be his final Mass in Downpatrick this morning before retiring on Thursday.As we pray for Fr John’s recovery, please pray for the happy repose of the soul of another man who sadly died after he was assaulted. No details about him have been released.
Father Murray was reportedly attacked in the church’s sacristy before Mass, according to BelfastLive.
A spokesperson for the PSNI said: "It was reported to police at around 10.10am on Sunday, 10th August that a man had walked into the church on St Patrick’s Avenue and hit the priest on his head with a bottle before leaving.
The victim was taken to hospital for treatment of a head injury, where he remains in a serious condition."
Police have initiated an investigation into the horror assault as they ask for any witnesses to step forward.
Detective Chief Inspector McBurney said: "This was a completely shocking and brutal attack and has left the priest with a serious head injury.
Comments