BishopAccountability.org

Police investigating after priest 'spat on and verbally abused' during Orange Walk

By Ruairi Scott Byrne
Buzz.ie
July 08, 2018

https://www.buzz.ie/news/police-investigating-priest-spat-hit-baton-orange-walk-291491


Police in Scotland are investigating after it was claimed a catholic priest had been spat on, verbally abused and attacked as a large Orange parade passed by.

The incident happened outside St Alphonsus’ church in Glasgow at around 4.20pm yesterday as Canon Tom White was meeting parishioners following Mass.

The Archdiocese of Glasgow claims the priest was spat on, 'lunged at' by a man carrying a weapon and pelted with verbal abuse as people congregated for vigil mass.

In a statement on Facebook, the Archdiocese said that both Canon White and his parishioners had been “subjected to vile abuse”.

He wrote: “Yesterday evening after vigil Mass at St Alphonsus, Canon Tom White was meeting and greeting parishioners. An Orange march approached.

"Police - who had been guarding the church - were called away to deal with another nearby incident leaving the priest and parishioners defenceless.

"Canon White and parishioners were subjected to vile abuse ... ‘Fenian bastard’ being the most typical.

"The priest was spat upon. Spittle landed on the back of his head. He wiped it away. Another mouthful of thick spittle was spat into his eye socket.

"Again he wiped it away leaving his hand full of the vile liquid.

"He was then further insulted and lunged at by a man carrying a pole before police arrived to restore some kind of order."

A Police Scotland spokeswoman confirmed that the incident was being investigated.

"We can confirm we are investigating the assault of a man outside a church at the Barras (area of Glasgow) around 4.20pm on Saturday July 7," she said.

“He was not injured as a result of the assault and inquiries are ongoing.”

The spokeswoman added: “Whilst the parade was passing the church at the time, any involvement, if at all, by someone from the Orange Walk, is still to be established.”

Thousands lined the streets of Glasgow yesterday for the annual Glasgow Orange Walk, which takes places on the first Saturday of July every year.

The events mark King William of Orange’s victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.




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