Church leaders 'deplore hijacking of Christian language' at Limerick anti-immigration march

TWO senior local church leaders have said they "deplore the hijacking of Christian language", which they say was evident at an anti-immigration protest in Limerick.

Hundreds of people took to the city's streets amid a heavy garda presence last weekend.

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Marchers walked up O'Connell Street, with many waving Irish flags.

There were chants of “Whose streets? Our streets”; “Whose land? Our land” and “Who is the king? Jesus”. Other religious symbols were on display.

But the Anglican Bishop of Limerick, Tuam and Killaloe Michael Burrows, and the Dean of St Mary's Cathedral Niall Sloane, have issued a joint statement in which they say they believe those who are marching represent only a minority of Limerick people.

"St Mary's Cathedral, Limerick's historic focus of prayers and Christian values is within earshot of Arthur's Quay. Last Saturday, we were shocked to hear the misuse of Christian prayers and symbols by a group of people whose agenda was to say 'No' to strangers in our midst and to people who deserve to hear sounds of welcome and understanding in our shared city," the statement reads.

"We uphold the right to peaceful protest, we pray for our civic leaders in their responsibility to address the many social needs around us. But we deplore the hijacking of Christian language in a manner that is actually an attack on basic Gospel principles of hospitality and charity," they added.

Marchers in city walked under the banner of 'Limerick Says No'.

But the Bishop and Dean wrote: "A minority of people in our city may shout 'no'. St Mary's Cathedral and the vast majority of citizens proclaim an equally defiant 'yes'."