Bishop urges to ‘take heart’ amid turmoil

Bishop urges to ‘take heart’ amid turmoil

13 August 2025

THE Bishop of Down and Connor came to Downpatrick yesterday with a message of hope after a traumatic 48 hours which left one man dead and the town’s parish priest in hospital.

Bishop Alan McGuckian celebrated a special mass at St Colmcille’s Church to remember all those involved in the tragedy.

He told a 400-strong congregation –which included the parents of the late Stephen Brannigan, and members of Canon John Murray’s family – to have courage and “take heart”.

He admitted that this was easier said than done after the “shocking” and “terrible” events of Sunday morning.

And he acknowledged that those closest to Mr Brannigan and Canon Murray must “feel a terrible sense of uncertainty – like walking on water”.

Referring to Matthew’s Gospel, the Bishop described how Jesus comes in the storm.

“The disciples in the boat – who were facing heavy waves, and strong winds and had just, as they believed, seen a ghost – must have felt: “This is ridiculous – how are we not to fear? We could be going down. We feel we have seen a ghost and we are invited to have courage’.”

“When we read that Gospel, we are invited to know that we are in the boat.

“We as a community of faith are in the boat and Jesus comes to us and indeed even his very coming is frightening. But we are called to hear the words: ‘Courage. It is I. Do not be afraid’.”

The Bishop said that when he said that he heard the news on Sunday about the violence in Downpatrick, he was preparing to go to Moneyglass to mark the Jubilee Year of Hope. 

“In spite of all the things we have to bear, we are people of hope. Our hope does not come from ourselves. If it came from ourselves we would throw it up. It comes from beyond us. It comes from the one who says: ‘Courage. It is I. Do not be afraid’.”

At the close of mass, Fr Maurice Henry expressed sympathy to the families of all involved and also thanked all those who had offered support and prayer.

“It has been a traumatic, shocking couple of days since the events of last Sunday,  August 10,” he said. “It’s hard to believe it’s less than 48 hours since Canon Murray was attacked in the 

sacristy of St Patrick’s Church and the remains of Stephen Brannigan subsequently found in his home in Marian Park.”

In a poignant moment, Fr Henry, who has been comforting the bereaved, remembered the alleged assailant and his family who, he said,  are also suffering in the close-knit community.  “They are devastated like all of us with what has happened. They send their best wishes to the family.”

They also, he added, sent their prayers.

In a reference to the man who is detained by police, he said: “We pray in the  spirit of Jesus. Father forgive them, they do not know what they do.”

Fr Henry prayed for Mr Brannigan and expressed his sympathy to his family,

Fr Henry, who arrived in Downpatrick with Canon Murray on September 25, 2014,  paid tribute to the outgoing parish priest for his hard work and  “total dedication” to the parish.

He said Canon Murray had planned to celebrate mass on Friday with the new parish priest, Fr Eugene O’Neill who arrives tomorrow. 

He looked forward to Canon Murray’s “speedy recovery” and his return to Saul where he will continue to serve the parish.

The congregation was told Canon Murray’s condition had moved from “serious” to “comfortable”.

“Despite his condition, Canon John is still aware of what is happening around him,” he said.

The mass was also concelebrated by Fr Maurice Henry, Fr Liam Toland, Fr Martin Graham, a native of Downpatrick, and Fr Tim Bartlett from Belfast.

Among the congregation was Fr Derek Kearney from the parish of Kilmore and Killyleagh, Superintendent Norman Haslett and Baroness Margaret Ritchie.

 The auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, Paul McAleenan, who has family connections to Downpatrick, was also present.