03/06/2014

Pastor McConnell Meets Assaulted Pakistani men

Northern Ireland Pastor James McConnell, who came under fire after making controversial comments in which he described Islam as "satanic" and "heathen", has visited two Pakistani men who were assaulted at their home in north Belfast.

The pastor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle church in north Belfast said he had told the men there was "no justification for such attack in any individual or their home whatever their religion," and he offered to help paying for the damage caused to their home last Sunday.

The priest was the centre of controversy last week when he described Islam as "heathen" or "satanic" and said he did not trust Muslims. His remarks were then defended by the first minister of Northern Ireland Peter Robinson in the Irish News newspaper.

Mr Robinson, who came under fire after his remarks, said later it has been misinterpreted and met Muslim leaders in Belfast to apologise.

(CVS/IT)

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