The Archbishop of Dublin declined to back a priest who doused red paint on the gates of the Russian Embassy.
Fr Fergal MacDonagh threw red paint in protest over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In a statement, Archbishop Dermot Farrell said: “This is a time for peacemaking and witness to peace - not the senseless call to violence.”
And when asked if any senior clerics had supported him, he revealed: “I’d rather not say. I think that answers the question.”
Beyond the Church, Fr MacDonagh has enjoyed huge support: He said “I’ve received hundreds of emails and texts supporting me. I received two criticising me. But I was provoked into doing it. I had no other option.”
“Even today when I was listening to the radio, I heard a discussion about the photo of that young couple running into a clinic with a blood-stained bundle - a dead baby.
“I mean it’s the work of evil. I can’t let evil go unchallenged.”
Fr MacDonagh added he’s now been contacted by solicitors offering their services for free if he’s charged in connection with his protest.
He said: “I will go to court. I’ve received messages from senior counsel and junior counsel offering to defend me pro bono.
“So I’m quite prepared to defend my actions and please God, I will be found not guilty. I’m not paying a fine. I did no wrong,” he said.
Asked about the criticisms he has received via email, Fr MacDonagh says they were from “fellow Catholics” who didn’t agree with his actions last week.
“They were both from fellow catholics but they were opposed to my chosen form of protest.
“Not everyone is going to agree with me. I’m a man of peace. I abhor violence and in fact that’s why I did what I did, because I abhor violence.
“I consider it a peaceful protest. I’ll face the consequences of my actions. I would hope I would not be found guilty. My defence is provocation.”
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