Church Rises Stronger After Hate Attack
Archbishop Stephen Cottrell of York has expressed his prayers for the members of St. James’ Church in Leyland, following a hate crime believed to have been committed by one or more atheists. On Good Friday morning, one of the most sacred days in the Christian calendar, parishioners arrived to find their church vandalized with offensive graffiti. The graves of family members were defaced, and the church’s exterior wall was marked with messages such as “god is a lie” alongside obscene images.
Rev. Marc Wolverson described the attack as the most distressing he has witnessed in his 28 years of service. He expressed sympathy for the perpetrators, saying, “I think the kind of people who would do this are just very sad, broken people.” He added that he couldn’t understand what might drive someone to act in such a manner, but he felt sorry for them.
In his statement of support, Archbishop Cottrell condemned the desecration, calling it deeply shocking. He noted that Easter, traditionally a time of joy and celebration, would understandably feel diminished for the parishioners. However, he emphasized the enduring hope of Easter, highlighting that the resurrection of Jesus signifies the triumph of God’s love over darkness. He assured the church members of his prayers, offering them comfort in the midst of the ordeal.
Bishop Philip North of Blackburn called the vandalism the “most disgraceful attack on a Christian community on the most solemn day of the year,” while Bishop Joe Kennedy of Burnley visited St. James’ on Easter morning to rededicate the church. The authorities have launched an ongoing investigation into the crime.