A routine evening clean up at church was interrupted by one phone call from a church member. Working in race relations, she was trying alongside the police to help 20 Romanian families to cope with a rise in intimidation and attacks on their houses. By 7pm on 16 June, things had gone from bad to worse and a request was made for City Church to house the families overnight.

We said yes. 

See this story in pictures...

The Story unfolds in local and national media

We became part of a major national and international news story

‘115 Romanians take shelter in a church after racist attacks’
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/, 17.06.09

Malc Morgan & Denise Wright on Radio 4
BBC Today programme, 17.06.2009

Church Attacked

Just as things were quietening down the church was vandalised. Our main windows were broken and a door pane attacked. Initially because the Romanian story was linked to a racist issue it was thought to have been linked but quickly it became evident it wasn’t and currently 2 students have been charged with this offence.

Positive Outcomes

Through our church being thrust into the spotlight we have met politicians / community workers / police and are currently liaising with Queens University Belfast. All are concerned like us to see this community be a welcoming area and face the challenges of multi cultural differences in a opposite spirit to that which the Romanians faced.
We were just thrilled to be in the right place at the right time and get a chance to show the world that we don’t just sing about God’s love we can show it in a real way.