Presbyterian Moderator Dr Harry Uprichard today, Tuesday 6 September visited schools and churches attacked over the summer in the Ballymena and Carnlough areas following on from similar visits on Monday in Ahoghill.
Dr Uprichard, who just returned from holiday at the weekend, began by visiting Ahoghill parish priest Fr Hugh O'Hagan and together they spent some time in the local primary school where they met staff and pupils. The Moderator also hopes to visit those intimidated from their home when this can be arranged by Fr O'Hagan.
In Ballymena, Fr Paul Symonds accompanied the Moderator to St Louis Primary School and St Mary's Primary School, both of which were recently attacked, where again Dr Uprichard was able to spend some time talking to staff and pupils.
Dr Uprichard also visited Carnlough Presbyterian Church to meet with local Presbyterians and see damage caused to church property during the summer.
"It was saddening to see the destruction that has been done," said Dr Uprichard. "However, it was encouraging to hear of the wonderful way in which the whole community had helped to clear up the damage to allow the work of each school to continue."
"I expressed to everyone that we as Presbyterians stood by them in terms of solidarity and prayer and assured them that they were an integral part of our community, we wanted them to remain and the children to grow up happily without fear and to do well in their studies. Attacks on schools, churches and homes are wrong and as a community we must say that strongly and loudly.
"So far as those who have carried out these acts are concerned I would says to them that there actions are a sin before God for which they will stand in judgement at the end of the day. They must repent as all of us must repent of our sin and find forgiveness in Christ and in their case go to the police and own up to what wrong they have done."
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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