POLICE are examining CCTV footage in a bid to catch those behind an arson attack on a Catholic church in Belfast city centre.
The alarm was raised early on Monday evening after a fire was detected in St Patrick's in Donegall Street.
The church said 25-foot long velvet curtains were set alight at around 5.30pm.
The fire was prevented from spreading by the fire-resistant curtains, valued at around £10,000, which will have to be replaced.
The church has been at the centre of a bitter parading dispute in recent years but a motive for the attack has not yet been established and police have appealed for information.
After entering through the main door of the church, it is thought that arsonists set fire to the curtains, which were draped in front of a Holy Door opened for the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy.
As part of the Year of Mercy, which ran from December 2015 to November 2016, each Catholic diocese across the world was invited by Pope Francis to open their own Door of Mercy.
Pilgrims had flocked to the Holy Door at St Patrick's throughout 2016, which was designated as the Door of Mercy for the Diocese of Down and Connor.
Bishop of Down and Connor Noel Treanor, who said the attack had "violated the sanctity of the church", visited the parish on Tuesday to inspect the damage.
Fr Brendan McGee (92) was praying in a corner of the church when the fire was started and raised the alarm.
David Gantley, the diocesan property administrator, told The Irish News: "The police have been in and are checking CCTV cameras in the street.
"It could have been a lot worse. The curtains had come from St Kevin's Hall and have been valued at £10,000 because they are heavily resistant. Thankfully they are fire resistant which restricted the fire to a large degree.
"There has been vandalism and graffiti at other churches and we are looking to build a picture and compile a log of what has been happening across the diocese."
Masses will continue as normal and there will be no disruption to parish life, with administrator Fr Eugene O'Neill thanking the fire service and people who have called to offer support and assistance.
A major fire in October 1995 devastated St Patrick's but following repairs it was officially reopened two years later by Bishop Patrick Walsh.
The church, which celebrated its bicentenary in 2015, is currently undergoing extensive renovations.
Prince Charles, who visited St Patrick's in May 2015, is among those who have donated towards its repair costs, gifting £2,000 to the parish.
The cross-community 4 Corners Festival said: "Just days before the start of this year's 4 Corners festival we are dismayed to hear of the arson attack on St Patrick’s Church. We must declare that this is not being done in our name."
Robert Foster, the Ulster Unionist Party’s North Belfast candidate in the forthcoming Assembly elections, said: "There is simply no place for attacks such as this in our community. All places of worship should be respected."
Police appealed for anyone with information to contact 101.
