Fr John Murray who was savagely attacked hearing confessions in Downpatrick was recovering from illness after a stay in hospital and preparing to transfer from his parish having turned 75 – retirement age.
In one of his final homilies as parish priest he encouraged the faithful to “Bring our anger to God, your frustrations. Bring everything and let God process it. And He does.”
Canon John Murray previously told this paper that he intended to focus on prayer and the sacraments in the parish at Saul, Co. Down where St Patrick began his mission. He spoke of his desire to hear more confessions – “a much under-rated sacrament” he told columnist Martina Purdy. He said: “I think the absence of confession has been a big loss for the Irish Church.”
Writing in this paper Martina Purdy who is a close friend of the priest said “It is particularly shocking to hear that a man appeared before mass last Sunday in St Patrick’s Church Downpatrick and asked him for confession. Canon Murray obliged him and brought him into the sacristy, where this gentle, holy man was savagely attacked. I know Canon Murray is praying for this man. Let us join in prayer for recovery for Canon Murray, and transformation in this poor man’s life and all those affected. Because only Christ can bring poetic grace from such an evil thing.”
