A loyalist death threat against a Catholic priest in Co Antrim has been condemned by a number of Protestant clergymen.
Newtownabbey parish priest Fr Dan White said he had been warned by police late last week of death threats against him following his criticism of vandals who damaged graves at Carnmoney Cemetery.
Today, Newtownabbey Clergy Fellowship - which includes Presbyterian, Church of Ireland and Methodist ministers - said they were "shocked and saddened" by the threat and the vandalism at Carnmoney cemetery.
"Over the years we have enjoyed a warm friendship with Fr Whyte and value his Christian witness and wisdom," they said.
"It is particularly regrettable that one who has clearly identified himself with Protestant congregations in times of threat should now be the subject of personal abuse and intimidation himself."
They called on the Loyalist Action Force to withdraw their threat and urged their congregations to show support towards their Catholic neighbours.
Up to 200 loyalists disrupted the Catholic Blessing of the Graves service at Carnmoney Cemetery on the outskirts of Belfast yesterday afternoon. Some of the mob waved placards and blew horns and whistles.
After the protest broke up, another mob of around 40 people gathered and threw bricks and stones on the nearby O'Neill Road.
"I think what we've had was a disgraceful exhibition of bigotry and anti-Catholic prejudice," Fr White said. "I think that's something that's always simmering under the surface in our society, but unfortunately we saw it and we heard it today in all its repugnance," he added
Trouble was feared at the service yesterday after Catholic graves were damaged in the cemetery earlier this week. Five Celtic cross tombstones were broken or knocked down when vandals attacked graves early on Monday.
More than 20 memorials at Catholic graves in the cemetery were vandalised in June. Crosses were smashed and headstones overturned in an attack blamed on loyalists.
The cemetery is beside Rathcoole estate, a loyalist housing estate where Catholic postman Daniel McColgan (20) was murdered by loyalist paramilitaries of the Ulster Defence Association as he arrived for work in January 2002. His grave in Carnmoney was damaged in a similar attack the following May.