Community left in ‘great fear', mass told, as priest is ‘progressing' after attack
Fr John Murray is 'progressing' in his recovery, a colleague said.
It came as hundreds of shocked parishioners gathered for a special mass in Co Down this morning.
A man in his 30s continues to be questioned over murder and attempted murder.
Shortly before mass on Sunday, Fr Murray was approached by a man in his 30s in a distressed state, reportedly shouting and crying out in St Patrick's Church in Downpatrick.
Fr John Murray. Photo: Pacemaker
It is reported the man sought to have Fr Murray hear his confession in the sacristy.
However, the suspect is said to have assaulted the priest by hitting him on the head with a bottle. Fr Murray sustained a serious head injury and is being treated in a hospital in Belfast.
Fr Murray was due to retire on Thursday, and had been preparing to celebrate his last mass as parish priest.
It is believed that the murder of local grandfather Stephen Brannigan, who was found in the Marian Park area of the town on the same day, is connected to the assault.
Stephen Brannigan
This morning a special mass for Fr Murray is taking place in Downpatrick.
It is being celebrated by Bishop Alan McGuckian in St Colmcille's Churchin support of the Brannigan family and for Fr Murray.
Bishop McGuckian said: 'At a moment like this when so many people feel a great fear and a great sense of uncertainty, 'What is going on? What is happening to us?' Jesus comes to us.'
He added: 'Despite the terrible things we have to bare, the horrible things we have to bare we are a people of hope.'
The church was packed with parishioners.
Speaking at the scene, former SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie, who is from Downpatrick, said people wanted to show their support for those affected.
St Patrick's Church, St Patrick's Avenue, Downpatrick. Inset: Fr John Murray
News in 90 Seconds - August 12th
"First of all I want to offer my sympathy and my condolences to the Brannigan family on the sad death and passing of Stephen in such tragic circumstances,' she said.
'Of course I know Fr John, he has been parish priest here for the last 11 years and he provided excellent pastoral stewardship in the very big Catholic parish of Downpatrick.
"He has been very strong on ecumenical relations, particularly here with the Church of Ireland cathedral in Downpatrick.
"So for all of those reasons I wanted to come here today to show that support, that solidarity with Fr John and wish him a very speedy recovery.'
Speaking before the mass, Fr Martin Graham said there was a lot of shock at recent events.
'From what we understand [his condition] is comfortable and stable. And that is all we have been told,' said Fr Graham told Good Morning Ulster. Read more
'He is progressing. There is a family grieving as well, there are two daughters, there is a dad, there are grandchildren grieving their grandad.
'It is important for us to remember the Brannigan family in all of this. That they get support, they have the support of the parish as well.
'The mass this morning is going to be a very simple, gentle mass. The bishop will offer it to support people of the town, to support the Brannigan family.
'Downpatrick, like every other town, has its problems. But the level of violence that took place on Sunday really upset the people of Downpatrick.
'That's why, even on Sunday evening, the parishioners themselves came together in St Brigid's Church to pray for an support each other.'
On Monday night the family of Mr Brannigan released a statement outlining their sense of loss.
Fr Graham added: 'They [the family] were willing to make that statement last night, it was absolutely heart-breaking but also so wonderful that they were able to sit down and compose something, which is so difficult to write at the best of times, but to write that in these circumstances, it was just so beautiful of them.
'Fr Murray would have been really appreciative of it, as they are appreciative of the fact that he is also praying for them.'People went to mass that Sunday morning expecting to say goodbye to him and put their arm around him to say goodbye and I think, please God, he will be able to come back and join them for another mass just where they can be able to show them the love that they have for him.'
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