Rector beaten up 'over his faith'

I posted on Canon Michael Ainsworth being attacked by Muslims yesterday, now this article states that nearly half of London clergy have been attacked within the past twelve months. If this is true, it represents a major escalation of violence against Christian clergy in the U.K. It's hard to believe that so many instances of violence have previously failed to be reported in the press, but then this is Britain, head Dhimmi in Europe. The solution suggested by National Churchwatch that clergy remove their dog collars when they are "on their own" is pure cowardice and will only encourage more attacks. What needs to happen is for the police to apprehend and prosecute Islamic terrorists to the full extent of law.

FROM THE TELEGRAPH.CO.UK

Rector beaten up 'over his faith'

By Jonathan Wynne-Jones and Bnn Leach
Last Updated: 2:40am GMT 16/03/2008
A clergyman is in hospital after he was beaten up in his churchyard by three Asian youths, in an incident which police are treating as a "faith-hate" attack.
Canon Michael Ainsworth, 57, asked the gang to keep their noise down but they turned on him, taunting him about his faith and hitting him in the face and body.
He was found slumped in the churchyard of St George-in-the-East in Stepney, east London. Police said the gang made "remarks insulting his occupation" before fleeing.
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A parishioner said: "There was blood everywhere. All the church members are in shock. Our canon is such a nice man who has done so much for the parish."
Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack on March 5. No arrests have been made. Mr Ainsworth was initially treated in hospital and given the all-clear, but has since returned for further treatment after feeling unwell.
The canon, a former member of the Church of England's General Synod, moved to the area from Manchester last year. Colleagues said that his appointment was designed to improve the parish, which has a large Bangladeshi Muslim population and high levels of unemployment.
The Rt Rev Stephen Lowe, Bishop of Hulme, who used to work with Mr Ainsworth, said: "I would want to see a condemnation of this cowardly behaviour by senior Muslims in the community and really hope there isn't an over-reaction from the white community."
A survey of London clergy by National Churchwatch, which provides personal safety advice, found that nearly half said they had been attacked in the previous 12 months. The organisation suggested that vicars should consider taking off their dog collars when they are on their own. (emphasis mine)