Bishop Harold Good condemns Saturday night’s bomb attack in centre of Derry
The Bishop says he is thankful no one was injured as a result of Saturday evening’s explosion near the city’s courthouse.
The area remained cordoned off on Sunday morning and morning services at St Columb’s Cathedral and St Augustine’s Church (where a Service of Baptism was due to take place) were cancelled as a result.
The Archdeacon of Derry, Ven. Robert Miller, invited parishioners of both churches to attend morning services, instead, at St Peter’s Church of Ireland on Culmore Road or Christ Church on Infirmary Road.
The Rector of St Augustine’s, Rev Canon Malcolm Ferry, led the service in St Peter’s – which was a Service of Baptism for a baby boy born shortly before Christmas.
The service was originally meant to take place in St Augustine’s but was switched to St Peter’s because of the continuing security operation in the city centre.
Church services disrupted in Derry on Sunday morning following bomb attack in Bishop Street
Biahop Good said: “Last night’s bomb attack in the centre of Derry was an act of utter recklessness which showed a callous disregard for the lives and safety of local citizens and visitors alike.
“It defies belief that anyone would place a bomb on a city-centre street, early on a Saturday evening, so close to people’s homes, churches, an hotel, sheltered accommodation, nearby pubs and a large car park.
“St Columb’s Cathedral and St Augustine’s Church – where a group of young people had been meeting yesterday evening – have both had to cancel their Sunday morning services while the Police carry out a follow-up security operation.
“I am thankful to all our emergency services for the courageous way in which they responded to the initial explosion and to the subsequent alert.
“I am extremely thankful that no one was injured – or worse – as a result of last night’s explosion.
“The people responsible for the attack must be reminded that their methods have been rejected not only by the vast majority of people in this community but by an overwhelming majority of people on this island.
“The attack was wrong. It is indefensible. It should never be repeated.
“The time has long since passed when such violence should have been consigned to history.
“I urge anyone with information about the bombing to share it with the Police,” he added.
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