BY AILEEN MURPHY
Police are investigating a sectarian motive after two petrol bombs were thrown at a church in Newtownbutler.
This is the second attack within a week on St Comgall's Church of Ireland, and it has prompted the police to call for calm in the village.
Outlining the attack, the police spokesperson explained: "Two petrol bombs were thrown at the Church shortly before 10.00 pm on Saturday.
"One of the bombs, which was ignited, caused scorch damage while the other was found lying on the ground. In addition, distinctive bright lime paint was thrown at the Church.
"We are appealing for calm in order to assist police as they investigate this incident thoroughly. We believe there is a sectarian motive behind it, we can't see any other reason for attacking a Church," the spokesperson said.
"We would also appeal to community representatives to show leadership as we don't want this situation to escalate, otherwise we are playing into the hands of these vandals."
Meanwhile, the Church's Rector, Reverend Richard Seymour-Whiteley said he did not believe the attack had a sectarian motive, rather, that it was an act of vandalism.
He explained: "On Sunday parishioners arrived at St Comgall's Church of Ireland to prepare for morning worship, only to discover that for the second time in a week the Church had been attacked.
"On the first occasion, two windows had been badly damaged by stones thrown through them. This second attack was more serious, with a petrol bomb thrown against the main door, which has been scorched, and an attempt to throw a second bomb through one of the already damaged windows. This fell harmlessly back into the Churchyard. Paint was also thrown around the main door.
"This is vandalism," Reverend Seymour-Whiteley continued. "The police have been most helpful, and we are doing all possible to apprehend the culprits.
"As Christians, we are saddened that people have so little regard for the Lord of Heaven and Earth that they would attack a building in which He is worshipped. We are saddened but not dismayed, and we are well aware that we worship a God who himself, in Christ, was crucified. And Christ taught us to forgive our enemies, and to bless those who persecute us. We seek to be faithful to him. We are very grateful of all the support from all the sections of the community."
The Bishop of Clogher, Michael Jackson added his condemnation: "The continuing attacks on Galloon Parish Church, Newtownbutler, are a cause of considerable concern. The distress and outrage endured by the parishioners and Rector are beyond what we have come to expect in our society today. Coming on top of previous attacks, they force me once again to condemn such violence and destruction particularly when it is directed against a Church and its' people. I once again call on the perpetuators to stop doing this."
The DUP's Arlene Foster said the attack was proof Newtownbutler needed to retain their police Station.
"The second attack comes just days after the PSNI District Commander announced he was consulting on the closure of the police station in the village. I do not believe the two events are unrelated. I condemn the attack for the cowardly act that it is on the Protestant community in Newtownbutler, and call on anyone with information to give it to the Police.
"It is less than two years since the last consultation on police station closures was carried out and, at the start of that consultation, Newtownbutler Station was earmarked for closure. After much campaigning, we managed to save the Station but, regrettably ever since then, there has been precious little if indeed any police activity emanating from the Station in Newtownbutler," Mrs Foster continued.
She said she was adamant there was a sectarian element to the attack.
"Clearly, some republican elements have decided to make their mark on the small Protestant community in the village, and I call on all nationalist and republican representatives from the area to show leadership to their community and condemn the actions of these bullyboys outright, and I also urge nationalists in the village to give any information they might have to the police.
"On the policing side we must, however have the resources to deter and in this case detect the perpetrators," Mrs Foster concluded. "As the consultation for the closure of Stations proceeds, I as one of the MLA's for the area will be wanting to know just how the police intend to properly police these rural villages and the surrounding countryside if all the Stations earmarked for closure go ahead.
"Instead of closures, we should instead be hearing of the need for more resources on the ground. This will be the battleground for policing in the coming months", she stated, " and I for one will continue to fight for more resources on the ground."
UUP Assembly member, Tom Elliott called on thge Nationalist community to rally behind the condemnation.
"It is a very sad situation", he said, "that a place of worship like this is attacked. Whether it is criminal intimidation or sectarian, either has to be condemned".
Meanwhile, the PSNI has asked anyone with information about the attacks should contact police on 0845 600 8000 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on freephone 0800 555111.
