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Dads' rights campaigners storm York Minster
Blaise Tapp11/ 7/2004
FATHERS' rights group Fathers 4 Justice today brought chaos to the traditional Sunday service of the Church of England's General Synod when members stormed York Minster and climbed on to its roof.
Dressed as vicars, nuns and monks, around a dozen members of the group attempted to force entry into the Communion service being held in the historic cathedral.
Eight members of the group charged into York Minster but in the melee, as staff tried to keep the protesters out, an internal glass door was allegedly broken and a member of the Minster police assaulted.
Fathers 4 Justice founder Matt O'Connor was dragged out of the Minster after being rugby tackled while making his way to the pulpit.
The group was protesting at the Church's failure to take the lead in lobbying the government over parents who are denied access to their children by the courts.
Mr O'Connor was later allowed back into York Minster to address those gathered for the service.
North Yorkshire Police arrested 12 people on suspicion of assault and criminal damage.
Sergeant Martin Metcalfe said: "We were called to a group allegedly forcing entry to the Minster where a door was damaged and someone was allegedly assaulted."
The Church of England immediately condemned the group's protest, which follows other high-profile stunts such as throwing purple flour-filled condoms at Tony Blair during Prime Minister's Question Time.
'Violent intrusion'
Before the protest began, senior members of the Anglican Church, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and the Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, filed into the Minster unaware of the fate that was to befall them.
The Very Reverend Keith Jones, the Dean of York, condemned the "violent intrusion".
He told reporters outside York Minster: "We deeply regret the violent intrusion into a place of Christian worship and witness - that should not have happened.
"No doubt there are real issues at stake for these individuals. They have been given an opportunity to share their concerns with the congregation here.
"But there has also been personal injury and damage to a place of worship which preaches the eternal message of healing, justice and compassion for all and that has to be deplored strongly."
Mr O'Connor was dragged out of the service by members of the cathedral's staff.
As he picked himself off the floor, he shouted: "Shame on you. Justice for fathers.
"Remember half a million children are deprived of contact with their fathers and the Church does nothing. Shame on you."
He formed the group two years ago to campaign against what it believes is the Government's failure to help fathers gain access to their children through the courts.
At 1.30pm today people remained on the roof, where they unfurled a large banner.
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11/07/2004 at 22:33
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12/07/2004 at 13:26
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