A spate of crimes targeting church property over the past few days is a clear cause for concern and rightly condemned by the wider community.
In the most serious incident, a priest was threatened with a gun by burglars who forced their way into a parochial house in west Belfast on Friday night.
Fr Denis Ryan (70), from Australia, who is retired from full-time ministry but is providing holiday cover at St Michael the Archangel, was left badly shaken by his ordeal after two men ransacked the parochial house at Finaghy Road North.
It is absolutely appalling that a priest, a visitor to Belfast who is providing a much-needed service, should be subjected to such a traumatic incident.
Hopefully, he will derive comfort from the outpouring of support from parishioners and political representatives who are disgusted at this despicable crime.
Sadly, this is not the first time a parochial house has been targeted. In March, more than £1,000 was taken during a burglary at St Malachy's Church, Castlewellan while in July last year, a priest was locked in a room overnight during an armed raid on St Peter's Cathedral, Belfast.
Just hours after the west Belfast robbery on Friday, a former sacristan and his wife who live next door to the parochial house in Dungannon were threatened by two men, one armed with what was thought to be a gun.
Again, this was an appalling crime which was a shocking experience for a couple in their own home.
Meanwhile, the first and deputy first ministers have condemned the arsonists who twice attacked Saintfield Road Presbyterian Church in Belfast in recent days.
Fires were set inside the church and hall on Friday and again on Sunday, resulting in the cancellation of services, which is deeply regrettable.
Police have said a sectarian motive is one line of inquiry which is clearly worrying in an area where community relations are good.
All places of worship should be treated with respect and those responsible for such a disgraceful attack must be arrested, charged and brought before the courts.
