16/02/2004

Catholic congregation in church lock-in

The congregation of a Catholic Church in the docks area of Belfast, which closed three years ago, have spent the night in the building as part of their efforts to have it re-opened.

St Joseph's Church in Sailortown was closed in February 2001 after the Catholic Church said there was no longer a sustainable community in the area.

Around 150 campaigners gained entry into St Joseph's on Sunday and held a prayer service as part of their protest before leaving. However about 20 remained in the building overnight.

A spokesperson for the group, who have dubbed themselves Save St Joseph's Campaign, said they had been forced to take such drastic action to highlight "the neglect, in spiritual and temporal terms" of the Catholic Church.

A spokesman for the Catholic Church described Sunday's protest in St Joseph's as "a very irresponsible act".

(MB)

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