Popular priest behind atrocity that even IRA was ashamed of
RUC believed Fr James Chesney played major part in 1972 Claudy bomb massacre that left nine dead
So read the headline in a ‘Belfast Telegraph article marking the 50th anniversary of the infamous ‘Claudy Bombing’ by an IRA gang, led, it is commonly believed, by a Roman Catholic priest, one James Chesney.
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Had this been an incident in which a loyalist terror group, led by a Protestant minister, set off three car bombs which resulted in the murder of 9 people and the injuring of 30, then the headlines and the general reaction would have been very different indeed.
The Pope would have appeared on his balcony to conduct the chorus of hatred and propaganda against Ulster Protestants. The Roman Catholic Church in Ireland in company with the ecumenical churches, would have most diligently joined in this world-wide cry. The Westminster Government would have been on its knees in commiseration and a weeping prime minister would have offered his deepest sympathies along with £millions in compensation.
Most importantly, to a man, God-fearing Ulster Protestants would have outrightly condemned such an act for it has no place in Bible Protestantism!
As it was, things turned out very differently. (more…)