The Church of Ireland primate, Archbishop Robin Eames, today said the people of Northern Ireland opposed sectarian violence.
The Church of Ireland primate, Archbishop Robin Eames
After another night of loyalist violence and attacks on a Catholic school and church in Co Antrim, Archbishop Eames said the current level of hatred and attacks against families, homes, and churches was without "justification".
Dr Eames said although those carrying out the attacks had little regard for the condemnation of church leaders, it was vital for the future of the community that it was made clear that such attacks did not represent the feelings of the vast majority of ordinary people.
"Protestant and Roman Catholic must reject and condemn all attacks made under the guise of loyalism or republicanism," he said.
"This is a time for utter condemnation of attacks from whatever source and the detection and conviction of those who are claiming to act in the name of any organisation, cause or community".
His call came after sectarian paint bombers carried out new attacks on a Catholic chapel and school and a house in the village of Ahoghill in Co Antrim. Police said the paint used in the three attacks was the same.
The attacks came a week after Catholic residents in Ahoghill were issued with fire blankets and smoke alarms in an attempt to thwart loyalist thugs. Police chiefs said they took the decision based on intelligence warning more attacks were imminent.
PA