Archbishop of York voices support for parish following ‘hate crime’ on church

Belfast Telegraph - 21/04
The Archbishop of York has sent a message of support to a Lancashire parish after a church and gravestones were vandalised on Good Friday.

Lewd images and offensive phrases were daubed on the walls of St James Church in Leyland, near Preston, as well as on dozens of gravestones, forcing the church to hide the graffiti with plants before a wedding on Saturday.

Lancashire Police said the “disgraceful act of vandalism” was “being treated as a hate crime”, and no arrests have been made, while inquiries continue.

Lewd messages were daubed on the walls of St James Church in Leyland (phrases partially pixelated) (Paul Wharton-Hardman/PA)

On Monday, the Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell sent a message of support to the vicar Marc Wolverson and the people of the Lancashire Church of England parish.

In his letter, the archbishop said: “For this precious holy ground to be so appallingly desecrated is deeply shocking.

“Easter should be a time of celebration and joy.

“It saddens me greatly that this Easter your own celebrations may feel a little muted.”

He added: “Yet, of course, the story of Easter is the story of God’s triumph over sin and darkness.

“Because God raised Jesus from the dead, we know that no power on earth can undermine his mercy and love.

“I hope it is a small comfort to know that, alongside...
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