Priest John Murray ‘serious but stable' following attack in Downpatrick linked to murder
Father John Murray was reportedly struck to the head at St Patrick's Church.
He was approached by a man who asked if he would hear his confession ahead of the Sunday morning service, and attacked as shocked parishioners arrived for mass.
Father Murray had been due to retire later this week.
Police have said the attack may be linked to the death of a man in Downpatrick. They have opened a murder investigation. The victim has been named locally as Stephen Brannigan.
A 30-year-old man remains in police custody being questioned on suspicion of murder after a man was found dead at an address in the Marian Park area at about 12pm on Sunday.
A prayer vigil was held at St Brigid's Church in the town on Sunday night.
On Monday morning, the Downpatrick Family of Parishes said: 'Canon Murray continues to receive exceptional care.
'He is stable and comfortable.'
SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath described shock and disbelief in Downpatrick following the events of Sunday.
'First of all the community would want to have thoughts and prayers with the family of the deceased individual, and I know that that community in and around the Marian Park area will wrap around them and support them,' he said.
'Then the shocking nature and the graphic nature of the attack on Father Murray on what was supposed to be the commencement of his retirement, in a public manner and in daylight, exposes an awful lot of vulnerability in that scenario but also more widely, for clergy across Ireland, and other workers in the community, what can happen in the blink of an eye.'
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