The Archbishops of Armagh, Eamon Martin (RC) and John McDowell (CoI) have jointly condemned the Moygashel bonfire effigy of a mosque as being “grossly offensive” and an “undermining” of Gospel teaching.
The controversial mosque replica was burnt along with the bonfire it topped yesterday evening (July 9) ahead of PSNI’s plans to remove it.
Since its unveiling two days ago, the model mosque has attracted attention from across the globe, to varying public opinion.
In a statement, the Archbishops said: “The placement of a replica mosque atop a bonfire is grossly offensive and raises tensions so soon after the unrest that destroyed property and severely impacted the lives of individuals and families.
“We should be appalled at the provocative denigration of symbols associated with faiths that are sincerely held by others.”
Quoting from Luke 10:25-37, they continued: “But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus ‘Who is my neighbour’? And Jesus answered ‘There was a man going down from Jericho to Jerusalem…’”
Explaining the significance of this passage, the Archbishops say: “Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan to teach his disciples that they have a duty to those who differ from them in terms of religious belief and cultural tradition. Jesus teaches that people who differ from us are not simply to be tolerated; they are to be respected, cared for and loved.”
In defence of the Muslim community, they say “targeting” through “crude symbols and threats of violence by sinister forces undermines these Gospel principles of respect and compassion as well as freedom of religion which is a fundamental principle of a democratic society.
“The placement of a replica mosque atop a bonfire is grossly offensive and raises tensions so soon after the unrest that destroyed property and severely impacted the lives of individuals and families.
“Christians of all traditions would be aghast at the wanton destruction of Christian imagery. Likewise, we should be appalled at the provocative denigration of symbols associated with faiths that are sincerely held by others.
“We urge Christians, and all people of good will, to reflect carefully on their actions which can ignite violence against innocent people, all of whom are made in God’s image and are therefore worthy of respect and compassion.
“We want to assure our Muslim fellow citizens and those who are living and working here of the goodwill and respect of the majority of people here.”
A 56-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the installation of the model as a “hate-motivated criminal offence” and is expected to appear in Dungannon Magistrates’ Court this morning (July 10).
