Parish house raided during Sunday Mass

St Bride’s parish priest Father Paul Morton was stunned to watch his own home being robbed as he took Mass.

Father Mor ton was conducting the 6pm service on Sunday when he saw some youngsters acting suspiciously.

However, he carried on with the Mass, during which time the housebreakers got into the parish house and took £ 65 which had been raised by a children’s event, and a laptop.

Father Morton told the Reformer: “I could see there were a couple of boys coming down the path.

“I was able to get someone’s attention and they went to have a look, but when he didn’t come back straight away, I knew something had happened.”

“It was a sunny night, and it felt strange to know I was being burgled in broad daylight.”

The parishioners were able to alert Cambuslang Police Office, but the thieves made a quick getaway.

Father Morton added: “I’m just relieved that no one was hurt as a result of this.”

A Rutherglen Police spokesman confirmed: ”We are continuing inquiries following a housebreaking at St Bride’s Church on Sunday afternoon.

“There was a Mass ongoing at the time, so we would be asking parishoners who were in attendance and who may have seen anyone hanging around the chapel, to get in touch.”

Anyone with details should call the police on 101.