Church leaders have responded to the two days of violence that rocked Belfast, in which around 100 masked loyalist paramilitaries hurled petrol bombs at police on the Ardoyne Road in some of the worst violence to hit the Northern Ireland capital in years.
Loyalist protestors also fought police on Albert Bridge Road in the east of the city, while a bomb exploded at the gates of the New Barnsley police station in the west.
The Church of Ireland's Most Rev Dr Robin Eames, Archbishop of Armagh, said: "I share the deep concern of so many at the turmoil erupting within the Protestant and loyalist community at this time.
"Questions of great importance are being raised, but there is no possible excuse for the attacks on the police, who once again have found themselves in a virtually impossible situation.
"The effort of clergy and others on the ground to defuse the tensions must be recognised, and I appeal for calm throughout our community at this time."
Presbyterian Moderator Dr Harry Uprichard also said he was “appalled by the widespread rioting that has spread across Belfast and beyond and shocked by its violence and ferocity.”
He called on anyone with influence to use this to “diffuse tension and do all they can to return calm to our communities.”
He added: “Anyone with influence should use it to diffuse tension and do all they can to return calm to our communities.”
Catholic Archbishop of Armagh, Sean Brady, also expressed his distress at the news of the rioting and also urged community leaders to play their part in restoring calm: “The safety of people and the security of their property is being severely threatened. I hope that calm will be restored to these communities by community leaders engaging in constructive talks.”
Around 50 police officers have been injured in the riots, dubbed “one of the most dangerous riot situations in UK history” by Northern Ireland’s top police chief Sir Hugh Orde.
Sir Hugh commended the work of his officers, saying they acted “heroically in the most dangerous public order situation this country has witnessed for many years”.
This praise was shared by Security Minister Shaun Woodward who equally condemned the violence: “There can be no justification whatsoever for the disgraceful violence and disorder we have seen.
“In protecting the community from violence they have paid a heavy price.”
