An Ulster Unionist last night (Monday) rejected calls to withdraw comments made about a Catholic priest under a loyalist death threat. Protestant clergymen yesterday rallied round parish priest Father Dan Whyte after he was warned that his life was in danger.
Police informed the Catholic cleric of the threat from the Loyalist Action Force – a cover name used by loyalist paramilitaries in the past – on the eve of the Cemetery Sunday service.
Tensions had been building up in the run-up to the annual event with loyalist thugs attacking Catholic graves in the cemetery and daubing graffiti on the doors of St Mary's on the Hill Church, which has been targeted on numerous occasions.
A 200-strong loyalist protest disrupted Sunday's service and trouble broke out later in the nearby Rathcoole estate, a UDA-stronghold, when two hijacked vehicles were set on fire.
Controversy erupted yesterday when UUP Newtownabbey councillor Ivan Hunter accused Father Whyte of "not doing his best to reduce those tensions".
SDLP representative Alban Maginness called on the unionist to withdraw his remarks.
"These are disgraceful remarks by Ivan Hunter and should be withdrawn immediately," Mr Maginness said.
"Father Whyte has served the whole community in his bid for peace and mutual understanding in the Newtown- abbey area. He deserves full support and nothing less."
When asked by the Irish News whether he would withdraw his remarks Mr Hunter replied: "No, not at all."
While condemning the death threat against Father Whyte, he said: "Father Whyte has an agenda that we don't seem to be getting to the bottom of.
"It is quite evident, not just since Father Whyte came on the scene – long before – that they (the Catholic Church in Carnmoney) made a determined effort to segregate and sectarianise Carnmoney.
"He (Father Whyte) is not doing his best to reduce those tensions. The very fact that he didn't remove the graffiti (on church doors) shows that he has an agenda."
Father Whyte declined to comment on Mr Hunter's remarks, adding: "I'm not going to get into party politics."
The clergyman said he was overwhelmed by support from Protestant Church leaders and representatives in Newtownabbey.
"Everyone has been very supportive. I met Church colleagues today and I left with a lighter heart," he said.
"I greatly appreciated the support they gave me, though I was not surprised by it. I would have thought that what those men said to me was the authentic voice in Newtownabbey."
Father Whyte, who has been a priest for 42 years, has been outspoken on UDA-linked violence in Newtownabbey including the brutal murders of Catholic teen- agers Danny McColgan and Gerard Lawlor, and Protestant teenager Gavin Brett.
"I don't know what to do in the face of such a threat. But I do know one thing, I will do my work as usual," he vowed.
"My faith tells me nothing is going to happen today to me that the Lord and I together cannot handle."
Church of Ireland Bishop of Connor Alan Harper said: "These events at Carnmoney cemetery and St Mary's on the Hill Roman Catholic Church together with the threat issued by loyalist paramilitaries to the life and personal well-being of the Rev Fr Dan Whyte shame us all and fill me with a deep sense of distress, outrage and above all sadness.
"These actions seem calculated deliberately to fuel community tension and destabilise community relationships in Carnmoney. My hope is that people will refuse to be manipulated in this way and that the community will stand together in mutual support.
"I would ask the same had the bigots targeted Protestant churches, burial places and clergy as indeed they have in the past."
Members of the Newtownabbey Clergy Fellowship – made up of representatives of the Catholic Church, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian and Methodist Churches, also demanded the threat be lifted.
In a statement, signed by five clergy in the area, they said: "Over the years we have enjoyed a warm friendship with Fr Whyte and value his Christian witness and wisdom.
"It is particularly regrettable that one who has clearly identified himself with Protestant congregations in times of threat should now be the subject of personal abuse and intimidation himself."
Politicians from both sides of the community hit out at those behind the death threat and attacks on Catholic graves.
Ulster Unionist MP David Burnside said: "Cemeteries have to be respected by all sections of the community. If there is intimidation going on, threats being made, it should halt."
Alliance leader David Ford said:"'All threats are to be condemned but this one is particularly disgraceful.
"All those who claim influence with loyalists, including elected representatives and the members of the Loyalist Commission, must take action to have this threat removed immediately."
Chief Constable Hugh Orde, branded the threat "mindless blatant sectarianism".
Declining to disclose which loyalist paramilitary group was responsible he said: "We spoke to Father Whyte when we received anonymous information threatening his life.
"That's clearly linked to the mindless demonstration at which worshippers were intimidated.
"It was people from the loyalist side who are determined to demonstrate clear blatant sectarianism to disrupt all that has been going on that is positive in policing in the community."
No-one from the Ulster Political Research Group in Newtownabbey, the political wing of the UDA, was available for comment last night.
