A Catholic priest has been attacked with a Christmas nativity ornament while saying Mass at a church in Bangor, Co Down.
Fr Henry McCann was hit on the head with a statue of one of the three shepherds from the crib.
Parishioners at St Comgall's Church, Brunswick Road, managed to overpower the man who was later arrested by police.
Fr McCann was treated for shock and head injuries by nurses and doctors who were among the congregation of 100. He was then taken by ambulance to the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald.
"The man was screaming and shouting and was clearly having difficulties facing the Church at the moment," a colleague said afterwards. "Everyone was deeply shocked. We feel sorry for the individual who should have to resort to such violence".
A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokesman said there was nothing sinister or sectarian in the incident. A man (38) has been detained and charged with assault, he said.