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A man hit an Irish Catholic priest over the head with a glass bottle after asking him to hear his confession the morning of Aug. 10.
The priest, Father John Murray, remains in serious but stable condition in a hospital, BelfastLive reported. According to a statement from the Diocese of Down and Connor obtained by The Journal, Fr. Murray was on his way into St. Patrick’s Church in Downpatrick Sunday morning when the man approached and attacked him.
BelfastLive added that Father Eddie McGee, spokesman for the diocese, said Fr. Murray sustained a serious head injury and is currently being treated in the hospital. Fr. McGee also said that police are investigating the incident.
The Journal additionally reported that police said the attack on Fr. Murray “may be connected” to a murder that occurred the same day in Downpatrick. A 30-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.
According to BelfastLive, Fr. McGee said the attack on a priest who was acting in service to the community “very concerning and disturbing.” He also said that Fr. Murray was set to retire from his duties as a parish priest in the next few weeks and will continue ministering in the area.
“As parish priest of Downpatrick, Canon Murray is very well known and very well liked and parishioners and others from across the community have been in contact today to assure him of their ongoing prayers and support at this time,” Fr. McGee continued.
A local politician, Colin McGrath, called the assault on Fr. Murray “disgraceful.”
“For this to happen in the church is particularly disgusting and I have spoken to many members of the community who are shocked and upset that this has taken place,” McGrath said, according to The Journal. “My thoughts are with the priest and others impacted by this attack. I hope that he makes a quick recovery and that the person responsible is apprehended.”
