Priest ‘spat on and threatened with baton’ slams council as ban lifted on orange walks in area
Canon Tom White has criticised Glasgow City Council for allowing a loyalist march to pass his church, despite him being spat on and threatened in the past. The Bridegton Apprentice Boys of Derry have been granted permission for a procession on Sunday, November 10, which will pass St Mary’s and St Alphonsus churches in the Calton area where Canon Tom serves. This decision comes after Canon Tom was subjected to sectarian abuse and threats in 2018, leading to the ban of marches in the area. Despite objections from the Parish Council, the council has allowed the procession to go ahead.
After Bradley Wallace was jailed for ten months for the assault on Canon Tom, several march applications were denied by the council. However, one was granted in May 2019. Police Scotland had advised banning processions from passing the churches but the council has gone against this advice. Canon Tom expressed concerns about the lack of community engagement in the decision-making process and criticised the council for not considering the impact of such marches on public safety and community cohesion.
The march is scheduled to pass St Alphonsus at 9:45 am and St Mary’s at 12:15 pm on Sunday while parishioners attend mass. Canon Tom, who recently moved to a new parish in Croy, has been vocal about his disappointment in the council and police’s handling of the situation. He highlighted the lack of consideration for the historical divisions caused by these events and the negative reputation it brings to Glasgow. Despite trying not to be defined by the 2018 incident, Canon Tom’s faith in the authorities has been rattled.
In response, a Glasgow City Council spokesperson stated that their powers to impose restrictions on processions are limited by legislation. They mentioned that there was no credible evidence to intervene and impose conditions on this particular march based on public safety or disorder concerns. The council reiterated that they must evaluate each event on a case-by-case basis and rely on intelligence from the police to justify any intervention.
Canon Tom’s case sheds light on the ongoing tensions surrounding marches in Glasgow and the challenges faced by local communities. While the council and police must adhere to legal frameworks, it is crucial for them to consider the concerns of residents and the impact of their decisions on community relations.
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In summary, this rewritten news article covers the story of Canon Tom White criticizing Glasgow City Council for allowing a loyalist march to pass his church despite past incidents of abuse and threats. The article highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding marches in the area and the concerns raised by Canon Tom about community safety and cohesion. It emphasizes the need for authorities to consider the impact of their decisions on local communities and engage with residents’ viewpoints effectively.