Vandals have struck at a Penicuik church for the third time in as many months.
Sometime between Friday evening and Saturday morning a glass window was kicked and broken at Sacred Heart RC Church in Jackson Street.
Priest Fr John McInnes told the Advertiser: "It is not just about a broken window for us.
"It is somebody de
liberately coming into the grounds."
Kind of grievanceHe added that the incident "ad nothing to do with"the Orange Order parade, which took place in Penicuik on themorning of Saturday June 26.
While the damage is estimated at £70, Fr McInnes said it was likely the window would now be fitted with shatterproof glass, which would cost several hundred pounds.
"We are not going to let people antagonise or destroy us.
"It wasn't as if they wanted to break in for the valuable gold, silver and paintings we don't have.
"That kind of aggressive, angry person has some kind of grievance," Fr McInnes said.
Be countedThe priest added that churches, particularly Sacred Heart with its location close to the town centre, were often the target for vandals especially at weekends.
Sacred Heart has already taken steps to improve security by having gates erected to stop people entering the grounds to urinate.
The gates are now locked at night.
"We know we are not the only church.
"We can let things go on by default or we can stand up and be counted.
"This matters to people."
Penicuik Inspector Neil Simpson said it was "purely co-incidental" that the damage at the chapel took place on the same morning an Orange Order parade was held in the town.
He confirmed it was the third incident in the past few months.
