Parishioners have condemned the sectarian scrawling of anti-Pope graffiti on the front door of Harryville Catholic Church in Ballymena.
The words "f*** the Pope" were written on the front door of the church in the staunchly loyalist part of the town. Metal fencing was also painted red white and blue. A major eleventh night bonfire was held last night just yards away from the chapel at the King George V Park.
The Church of Our Lady was the subject of a 20-month long loyalist picket running from 1996 to 1998. Recently there has been speculation that some loyalists want to re-launch the protest.
The church voluntarily cancels its Saturday night Mass during July and August at the height of the marching season.
