A community in Co Down has been “shaken and upset deeply” by the attack on a priest and the death of a man at the weekend, a special Mass has heard.
Canon John Murray was struck on the head in an attack at St Patrick’s Church in Downpatrick on Sunday.
He was approached by a man who asked if he would hear his confession ahead of the morning Mass and was then attacked as parishioners arrived in the church.
Canon Murray had been due to retire later this week.
Police have said the attack may be linked to the death of 56-year-old Stephen Brannigan in Downpatrick.
56-year-old Stephen Brannigan was found dead at a house in Downpatrick
Mr Brannigan was described by his family as a “beloved” father and grandfather.
A 30-year-old man remains in custody being questioned on suspicion of murder after Mr Brannigan was found dead at an address in Marian Park on Sunday afternoon.
A Mass was held for Canon Murray and Mr Brannigan’s family at St Colmcille’s Church in Downpatrick.
Bishop Alan McGuckian said the whole community has been “shaken and upset deeply” by the recent events.
Police at the scene at Marian Park in Downpatrick
The Bishop of Down and Connor told those gathered: “There’s so many ways in which hearts can be stirred in moments like this.
“People carrying what-ifs and what-only and so many other things like that. It’s at times like this that we Christians are called to rely totally on the mercy of God. We are invited to have courage and not to fear.”
Those at the Mass were told it has been a “traumatic and shocking” few days.
Canon Murray, who has been a priest in the area for about 11 years, was beginning his final week at the parish when he was attacked.
Bishop Alan McGuckian said the whole community has been ‘shaken’ by recent events
Speaking after the Mass, Bishop McGuckian said: “Hope is one of these things that can sound quite ephemeral until it is really needed. Hope only kicks in when things are really bad, when we cannot do it ourselves.
“The people of Downpatrick are being asked to face a reality that we cannot make sense of, we cannot handle.
“That courage is a call to hope and I think that is exactly what we need to hear at this time.”
He also said he hoped to meet with the Brannigan family in the coming days.
Bishop McGuckian added that Canon Murray is “increasingly comfortable” and will do well in his recovery in hospital.
In a statement this afternoon, Detective Inspector Michelle Griffin said: “Our thoughts remain with Mr Brannigan’s family and loved ones at this extremely distressing time.
“A murder investigation is underway, and I would reiterate our appeal for anyone with information to please come forward and speak to our detectives on 101.”
In a statement, PSNI said: “On Sunday morning, 10 August, at approximately 10.10am, police received a report that a priest had been seriously assaulted.
“This was in a church in the St Patrick’s Avenue area of the town. A man entered the church and attacked the priest with a bottle.
“The victim was taken to hospital for treatment of a head injury. Here, he remains in a serious, but stable, condition.”
The statement added that while attending the assault, police received a report of the man’s death at an address in the Marian Park area of the town.