The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, has said that he’s praying for parishioners of St James’ Church in Leyland, after the church was the victim of a hate crime, apparently perpetrated by a number of atheists.
On the morning of Good Friday, the holiest day within the Christian calendar, parishioners arrived to search out that their church had been vandalised with graffiti. The gravestones of parishioners’ relations were graffitied.
The graffiti included sexually graphic images and expletives. On the church itself, the words “god is a lie” were sprayed on the outer wall next to an obscene picture.
Reverend Marc Wolverson described the incident because the worst he’d seen in 28 years.
He told the BBC, “I feel the form of individuals who would do that are only very sad, broken people.
“I do not know what would motivate someone to act this manner. I feel very sorry for them.”
In his message of support the Archbishop of York wrote, “For this precious holy ground to be so appallingly desecrated is deeply shocking.
“Easter must be a time of celebration and joy. It saddens me greatly that this Easter your individual celebrations may feel just a little muted. Yet, after all, the story of Easter is the story of God’s overcome sin and darkness.
“Because God raised Jesus from the dead, we all know that no power on earth can undermine his mercy and love.
“I hope it’s a small comfort to know that, alongside many others, I’m holding you and your church in my prayers this Easter. I’m praying that despite the horrors of Good Friday, your faith within the resurrection is perhaps strengthened and that you’ll all experience anew the ability of the Lord at work in your lives.”
The Bishop of Blackburn, Philip North, called it “essentially the most disgraceful attack on a Christian community on essentially the most solemn day of the 12 months” and “such a tragic end to Good Friday”.
The Bishop of Burnley, Rt Rev Joe Kennedy, joined St James’ church on Easter morning to rededicate the church to the worship of God.
A police investigation is ongoing.
