A parish priest who was seriously injured after being attacked in a church last week is making “slow and steady progress” in his recovery, parishioners in Downpatrick were told on Sunday.
Father John Murray was attacked at St Patrick’s Church in the town last week and had been in a serious condition in hospital.
The funeral of father-of-two Stephen Brannigan, the man murdered in his home in Downpatrick last week took place on Saturday.
A man has since been charged with his murder and the attempted murder of the priest.
Hugh Malone, 30, with no fixed address but from the Belfast area, appeared via video link at Newtownards Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
St Patrick’s Church had been closed in the wake of the attack on Fr Murray, but reopened on Saturday, with new parish priest Father Eugene O’Neill telling parishioners on Sunday morning that the events of the previous week had left the community “shocked”.
“We all continue to be shocked by the terrible events of last week, the effect of those events will echo for a very long time, particularly in the families of all those involved,” Fr O’Neill told the congregation.
“So first of all, we pray for them this morning and for you. For the healing of soul that only God can give. And on this day, we remember, particularly the soul of Stephen Brannigan, whose funeral took place yesterday.
“We’re consoled that Canon Murray is comfortable and moving quietly and prayerfully, as is his characteristic manner towards recovery. I’ve been in touch with Caron Murray.
“Some members of his family are here this morning. Canon Murray is in good spirits. He and his family have asked me to express their thanks to everyone, from the great diversity of backgrounds who have reached out to them in this last week with their love, their support and their prayers. Canon John is making slow but steady progress.”
A week earlier, Fr Murray was struck on the head in a brutal attack at the same church. He was approached by a man who asked if he would hear his confession ahead of the morning service, and then attacked as shocked parishioners arrived for mass.
The parish priest had been due to retire later that week.