PARISIONERS in west Belfast have spoken of their "deep shock" after their priest was threatened at gunpoint by two men on Friday.
Fr Denis Ryan (70) is from Australia but is providing holiday cover at St Michael the Archangel in Andersonstown.
He was at the parochial house on Finaghy Road North on Friday when two men forced their way in - one armed with a gun.
They ransacked the house, normally home to parish priest Fr David Delargy, before taking off with cash and keys after triggering an alarm in the adjoining church.
The incident happened shortly before 8pm and police are investigating a possible link with another burglary in Co Tyrone hours later.
Fr Ryan, who is retired from full-time ministry, officiated at a funeral on Saturday morning but took a break from duties on Sunday.
Speaking during morning Mass, Fr Gerard Fox urged parishioners to pray for the priest whom he said had been left "very badly shaken" by the ordeal.
Leaving the church, parishioners spoke of their shock at what had happened to Fr Ryan. Betty McKearney said: "We all just so shocked. He really is only here a short time so for this to happen is awful."
Mrs McCrudden said it was the second summer in succession that Fr Ryan had been at the church.
"He really is a lovely man and all the parishioners think very highly of him.
"He wasn't here this morning but he will be back.
"We have been so blessed to have him."
Melbourne-born Fr Ryan was ordained in 1988.
He spent almost three decades in full-time ministry working mainly in Ballarat, Victoria, most recently as parish priest of Robinvale.
Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey condemned those behind the attack.
Following a visit with Fr Ryan, he said the priest was "determined to continue with his duties".
"This was a cowardly and despicable attack on someone who serves the local community," he said.
"Anyone with any information about those responsible should bring it forward to the PSNI."
Later on Friday evening, a man and a woman in Dungannon were left "badly shaken" when, at around 10pm, two men forced entry to their house on Circular Road.
They fled with money and jewellery.
The burglary at St Michael the Archangel is just the latest targeted at parochial houses.
In March, more than £1,000 - including charity donations - were taken during a burglary at the parochial house at St Malachy's Church, in Castlewellan.
And in July last year, priest Fr Carlin was locked in a room overnight during an armed raid on St Peter's Cathedral in west Belfast.
