Rectory fire in Scotland follows threats against priests

Published: 2004-04-28

DUNKELD, Scotland (CNS) -- A Scottish rectory was burned in mid-April, a week after some priests in Scotland received death threats. The April 18 fire in the parish house of St. Serf's, Highvalleyfield, in the Dunkeld Diocese followed a series of death threats to clergy in Scotland and the north of England. The threats, described as "deranged," are being investigated by police. Bishop Vincent Logan of Dunkeld said in an April 19 statement that the rectory was unoccupied and that there were no injuries in the fire. The bishop said the parishioners of St. Serf's would continue to be served by Father Steven Mullholland, who will celebrate Mass as usual in the church, which was not affected by the fire. Father Mulholland recently had been transferred to St. Serf's and had not yet moved into the rectory at the time of the fire, according to The Daily Record, a Scottish newspaper. A spokesman for the church in Scotland said he believed the vandalism was not connected to the death threats. Priests at St. Serf's had not been threatened before the fire, he said.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .