POLITICIANS have condemned an arson attack on a church - the second in a week - as disgraceful, disgusting and despicable.
Saintfield Road Presbyterian Church in Belfast sustained considerable damage when it was targeted twice at the weekend, police said.
Fires were set inside the church and hall during the early hours of Friday and again on Sunday morning.
The secretary of state and first and deputy first ministers were among those to condemn the attacks.
Church elder Alistair McCracken said the congregation, however, forgave the arsonists adding that no one knew why they were being targeted.
Services were cancelled on Sunday morning.
On its Facebook page on Sunday, a church spokesperson said the entire building and halls were strictly out of bounds urging people to stay away as investigations were being carried out.
Some parishioners who would normally attend Sunday service arrived outside while forensic investigators were still inside.
"We're really very sad," Mr McCracken said.
"We're also sad about the impact that this is having on the wider community. This church is a community church, it's very widely used."
"We have experienced the forgiveness of God and would want to be able to say that we extend that to the folks who have done this, for whatever reason."
Secretary of State James Brokenshire said: "I am shocked and saddened to hear of the disgraceful attack on Saintfield Road Presbyterian Church and hall.
"My thoughts are with its parishioners who will be devastated by this news."
First Minister Arlene Foster said she was "so sad to learn that Saintfield Road Presbyterian church has been attacked".
Writing on her Twitter account, she said it was a "senseless hate crime".
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness also tweeted: "Disgusted at the despicable arson attacks on Saintfield Road Presbyterian Church. I hope the criminals responsible can be arrested. #shameful."
Sinn Féin assembly member Mairtin O Muilleoir added: "As with the previous attack, the people behind this attack are targeting a hub of community endeavour and a place of worship and peace building."
Police have said a sectarian motive is only one of a numerous lines of enquiry.
