Belfast Church 'regrets distress caused by' film event after accusations of 'sacrilege'

A Belfast catholic church has said it "regrets the distress caused" by the screening of Young Frankenstein for a City Centre festival following accusations of "sacrilege".

St Patrick's Church on Donegall Street hosted an event as part of the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival on Tuesday, May 7, where it put on a screening of the Mel Brooks classic film starring Gene Wilder.

The church has a long history of hosting community events with music concerts, art exhibitions and film screenings being held there in the past.

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However, following the showing of Young Frankenstein the church received some backlash online with some people accusing it of "sacrilege" and that a church should not be used for such an event.

There were also others who believed that the film event was a great idea and positive way of engaging with the local community and similar events should be encouraged.

A spokesperson from St Patrick's Parish said: "St Patrick’s Church, located within the heart of the City of Belfast, provides for the ongoing pastoral and sacramental needs of its parishioners, with the first church opened on this site in 1815.

"Across the years, this beautiful and historic church has been a sanctuary of welcome for all with the celebration of sacraments, the opportunity to visit and pray throughout the day and in its social and cultural engagement with the wider community.

"Following in this rich tradition and heritage, St Patrick’s Parish has hosted numerous events including musical concerts as well as exhibitions of art, film and poetry and remains firmly committed to engaging with the religious, social and cultural life of the City of Belfast in which it is situated.

"The Parish acknowledges that the decision to screen a movie within St Patrick’s Church this year as part of the Cathedral Quarter Festival has generated concerns and caused upset for some individuals. This was not the intention of the Parish. St Patrick’s Parish takes these concerns seriously, regrets the distress that the decision to screen a movie has caused, and will review the nature of such cultural engagement in future years."

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