Service remembers shot priests

Bishop Patrick Walsh paid tribute to two priests

A service of dedication to two priests killed during the Troubles has been held during the opening of a new Catholic church in west Belfast.

Corpus Christi, in the Ballymurphy area, was built in partnership with the Fold Housing Association.

Father Hugh Mullan was shot in 1971 and Father Noel Fitzpatrick in 1972. Both were giving the last rites to injured people during violent disturbances.

Bishop Patrick Walsh said it was important to remember them.

"The people still remember them, there's a plaque in the new church to them.

"I think it's very important to realise that our priests, they live with the people no matter what the conditions are," Bishop Walsh said.

"Those two priests, like all the other priests, lived with the people.

"When they were called out on that sad mission on that night they went out and they themselves were shot dead, so I think it's very important we remember them."

The priests were based at Corpus Christi at the time of their deaths.

Both died during exchanges of gunfire and the details of their deaths were disputed, although local people blamed British soldiers.