The Church of Ireland has condemned the lethal attack on Massereene Barracks leaving two people dead and four injured.The Anglican Archbishop of Armagh said the attack was “deeply distressing and deplorable. I send my heartfelt sympathy to those who have been bereaved or injured.”
The Most Rev Alan Harper continued: “It has been clear for some time that there are forces of evil intent on destabilising our community and returning to days of confrontation such as we knew in the past but have been steadily working to move beyond. Across our community, efforts must be redoubled to create a respectful and inclusive society that ensures that there is no place in our midst for agents of terror. We remember those affected by this incident as we continue to pray for a sustained peace.”
Last week the Church condemned a petrol bomb attack on a car parked outside a church hall and parish church in Country Fermanagh.
A dissident group is suspected of launching the attack on the Clogh War Memorial Hall on the evening of Feb 25, while approximately a dozen members of Holy Trinity Church in the Aghadrumsee parish group were playing bowls inside the building.
The device failed to explode and no injuries were reported.
In a statement released by the Church of Ireland Press Office, the Archdeacon of Clogher, the Ven Cecil Pringle, lamented a return to sectarian violence.
“If the motive was either political or sectarian then that would be unfortunate,” he said.
“It must be hoped that after 40 wasted years all people would see that the only way forward for any community is in reconciliation, mutual respect and tolerance.”
Ulster leaders condemned the attack, seeing it as part of a wider republican campaign to destabilize the area. Fermanagh & South Tyrone Ulster Unionist MLA Tom Elliott said the attack “was obviously targeted at the local Protestant community.
"I believe this is another element to the dissident republican campaign in the south-east Fermanagh area that has witnessed several murder attempts over the last number of months,” he said.
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(Source: RI)