Prayers are being said for a military chaplain stabbed in a knife attack in County Galway on Friday.
Fr Paul Murphy, a chaplain with the Irish Defence Forces, sustained injuries described as serious but not life-threatening within the attack at Renmore Barracks.
He said in a Facebook post that he was to receive surgery and thanked people for his or her prayers.
A teenage boy has been arrested in reference to the attack, and the Gardaí (Irish police) are investigating whether it was terrorism-related.
Bishop of Galway, Michael Duignan, said the attack was “deeply shocking and upsetting”.
“I pray for the injured man, asking God that he would make a full recovery. I pray too for his family, for his army colleagues and for the medical personnel who’re tending to his injuries presently,” he said.
The Bishop of Waterford & Lismore, Alphonsus Cullinan, said the incident “serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of unity inside our community”.
“We must come together not only to support our injured priest but additionally to foster an environment where such acts don’t occur again. Let us engage in dialogue about how we will promote peace, understanding, and respect amongst all individuals, no matter their backgrounds or beliefs,” he said.
“I encourage everyone to affix me in prayer – not just for our wounded priest but additionally for the person liable for this act. May they find redemption and should all of us work towards healing the injuries that divide us. As we gather in prayer, allow us to do not forget that forgiveness is a robust tool that may lead us toward reconciliation.”
