Sometime over 17th or 18th March The Mission of Our Lady of Walsingham and St Francis, Rochester, suffered a devastating attack of vandalism. The Doors of the Church were broken and split and left hanging off their hinges the inside of the Church was trashed, and the tabernacle broken open and the ciborium containing the Blessed Sacrament was trodden underfoot and the vessel completely squashed.

Every drawer in the vestry was opened and the contents scattered all over the floor. This appalling and heart rendering scene greeted the Priest in Charge, Father Raymond Thompson and members of his congregation as they arrived at the Church for Mass on the morning of Wednesday 19th March. The Police were called and finger prints taken and the Church is now temporary out of action. That this should happen at anytime is dreadful but especially at this time during Holy Week, the most sacred time in the Church’s year. Messages of support for Father Thompson and his people can be left in our Guestbook on this website by clicking on the link above.