We're just told they're Asian. Whatever the case, this is a disgusting attack and hopefully these youths are rounded up quickly.
A vicar was in hospital last night after being attacked in his churchyard by two youths in what is being treated as a 'faith hate' crime.Naturally, some local "leaders" played down the incident.
Canon Michael Ainsworth, 57, was kicked and punched in the head as one of the attackers screamed "f***ing priest".
He was left lying on the ground with deep cuts, bruising and two black eyes.
The attack took place in the early evening after Canon Ainsworth politely asked three Asian youths who had gathered in the churchyard to quieten down.
Another group of youths intervened to protect him and they helped him into the rectory as the attackers fled.
The incident happened outside St George-in-the-East Church in Wapping, East London.
It has regularly had windows smashed by youths - who on one occasion shouted: "This should not be a church, this should be a mosque."
But some youth leaders and councillors in the community played down the faith hate attacks and said drink and drug problems in the area were often to blame.Obviously, these "leaders" and "councillors" aren't doing their jobs or we wouldn't see drunken 14-year-olds and other punks saying churches should be mosques.
Kamil Ahmed, leader at the Ensign Youth Club, based on a council estate close to the church, said: "There are a lot of 14 to 16-year-old Asians, drunk and high on cocaine, wandering round the estate.
"It might be the people responsible for this attack reacted badly to being told off rather than targeting the church in a faith hate way."
Local Respect Party councillor Abjol Miah said: "There are isolated faith-hate attacks in the ward and borough, but generally relations are good between different religions. There are always individuals who will cause trouble."
Update: Thanks to Glenn Reynolds for the link.
As this was posted Saturday evening, today there is further reaction.
Congregation in fear after faith-hate attack on canon
The wife of a clergyman beaten up in a faith-hate attack outside his church described the community’s shock and distress yesterday after taking the Palm Sunday service on her husband’s behalf.You think?
Canon Michael Ainsworth is expected to be released from hospital early this week after being attacked 12 days ago in East London.
The attack has led to fears of an increasing number of religiously aggravated attacks on Christian clergy and concerns that the problem is overlooked by police and prosecutors.
Canon Ainsworth moved to St George’s at the end of last year after his wife was appointed as the first female chief education officer for the Church of England. Mrs Ainsworth said: “Normally community relations here are very good. We have had very strong messages of support from the East London Mosque and Tower Hamlets Mosque, with whom we’ve got good relations.This from the BBC:
“Clearly, the Muslim community is very shocked. These individuals were under the influence and this was a random act, but it may well be that some good can come out of it.
“Michael is making a good recovery and he should be back home early next week. He doesn’t want to castigate the whole community, he feels this is an isolated incident.
“We do know that in this area there is no concerted campaign against Christians and Christian buildings.”
Muslims denounce attack on priest
Muslim leaders have condemned an attack on an Anglican clergyman calling the assault "cowardly and despicable".
Canon Michael Ainsworth, 57, was beaten by youths described as Asian in the grounds of St George-in-the-East, Shadwell, east London, on 5 March.
Mr Ainsworth suffered cuts, bruises and two black eyes when he asked three youths to lower their voices.
Abdul Qayum, imam of the East London Mosque, also said: "Our congregation is united in condemnation."
The imam described the attack as "cowardly and despicable".
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