Scottish Catholic Observer

Anti-Catholic graffiti painted on St Columbkille’s Church ‘in no way represents the people of Rutherglen,’ parish priest Fr Patrick Hennessy said, after sectarian messages were scrawled across the building’s walls.

Parishioners were horrified to discover a variety of offensive slogans and symbols, including ‘FTP’—a slur against the Pope—as they were on their way into the church.

It is the latest parish to have been targeted by sectarian vandalism.

Fr Hennessy, the parish priest, was threatened and robbed just weeks ago, and has now had to endure yet another sickening ordeal towards himself and the St Columbkille’s parish.

However, he highlighted how the residents of Rutherglen have been sympathetic towards the parish following the incident

“We’ve had great support from other churches ­thankfully,” he said.

“It’s disappointing though, especially seeing as we have good relationships with the other churches in the area.

“People would be embarrassed around here because it in no way represents the people of Rutherglen. They’re good people. Thankfully it’s all been sorted now and the graffiti has been cleaned off.”

Church deacon Bill McMillan has condemned the graffiti. He said: “It was really upsetting for worshipers to witness this wanton ­vandalism as they arrived for Sunday worship.

“It is utterly appalling and I truly condemn this blatant sectarian vandalism on our church.

“This was also an attack on the local community of Rutherglen. It is a hate crime and those responsible should be ashamed of themselves.

“It is totally wrong and inappropriate to smear a place of worship, or indeed any public building.”

Last year, the Scottish Catholic Observer revealed that sectarian graffiti in Glasgow had more than doubled in 2016 compared with 2015 statistics, and 2017’s statistics were on course to be even higher.

The most common instances displayed offensive slogans.

One instance last year included anti-Catholic graffiti sprayed on St Andrew’s church in Livingston, and another on the Tradeston Bridge in Glasgow, where a vandal had written ‘kill all Catholics’ on the footbridge.