By Alan Healy

An appeal has been made to those responsible for breaking into and desecrating a Protestant church in Derry to return a stolen item which has great sentimental value to parishioners.

There has been widespread condemnation of the incident, where vandals broke into Christ Church on Infirmary Road in the city before embarking on a wrecking spree during which they defecated and urinated inside the building, knocked over vases, and tore pages from a Bible.

Those responsible for the crime smashed their way through a grille, then storm glazing before breaking a stained glass window at the church before entering the premises, sometime between sometime between mid-afternoon on Sunday, (September 10) and 4.15pm on Tuesday, (September  12).

A broken bottle was also used to the church’s organ at the church, which was installed in 2000 after a serious fire.

In addition, a crystal decanter, which was used in Holy Communion services, was been stolen during the break-in.

The tear-shaped, glass decanter had been presented to the church by former parishioners.

The damage was discovered by a woman who entered the church on Tuesday.

Speaking to the Derry News yesterday, The Archdeacon of Derry, Ven. Robert Miller, who is Rector of the Christ Church, Culmore, Muff and Saint Peter’s Group of Parishes,

“I was up at the Model School when I got a phone call from someone who had come in here to do some work,” he said.

“They kicked their way into the organ, then cut their way into it more and cut components out with a broken bottle.

“We don’t know what the eventual cost of the damage is going to be, but the organ is going to be out of action for some time, more than likely

He added that parishioners had been left ‘distraught and traumatised’ by the incident, and were particularly upset by the theft of the decanter, which they had donated.

“It will be a real trauma for parishioners who worship here and for our neighbours across the road at St Eugene’s, with whom we have the most wonderful relationship,” he continued.

The Archdeacon continued that while police had yet to establish a motive for the incident, it did not seem that the purpose of the break-in was theft.

“It would seem that this was an act of wanton vandalism carrying out by a disturbed individual or individuals.”

He added that the perpetrators may have been caught on CCTV mounted on a nearby building.

Despite the heartbreak, Archdeacon Miller said he had been ‘heartened’ by the support they had received in the wake of the incident.

The Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, described the incident as ‘very disturbing’.

“It is sacrilege and I feel deeply for the parishioners of Christ Church who will be dismayed when they learn of the break-in,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Bishop of Derry, Dr Donal McKeown, said that there had been a ‘long-standing relationship between the congregations in Christchurch and St Eugene’s Cathedral’ and he was both ‘disappointed and saddened at the news’

“I know from talking to parishioners in the Cathedral that they are terribly shocked by this wanton act,” he said.

“We will do what we can to help the Church of Ireland congregation get their beautiful church back to its original state so that their regular worship of our common Lord can be resumed.”

The independent councillors Sean Carr and Gary Donnelley visited the scene yesterday morning, where they spoke to the Archdeacon.

Commenting afterwards, Cllr Carr said appealed to whoever responsible for stealing the decanter to now return it, adding that they can approach them or a local community centre.

“If they wish to come to us and hand it over, we can then give this back to the parishioners who have been left heartbroken by this,” he said.

The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Maolíosa McHugh also visited the church to offer his support , while the Sinn Fein Foyle MP, Elisha McCallion added: "I know that this city will rally round and support them in any way we can at this difficult time.”"I would also encourage anyone with information on this attack to bring it forward to the PSNI.”

The Deputy Mayor, John Boyle, described the incident as ‘repugnant behaviour’.

PSNI Inspector Jonathan Hunter appealed to anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in the area of the church or anyone who has information which could help with our enquiries, to contact police at Strand Road on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 949 12/09/17.

Alternatively, if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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