NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      BELFAST (CWNews.com) - Following the funeral of a slain Catholic human rights lawyer on Thursday, rioters threw firebombs and burned vehicles as Catholic leaders called for peace.

      Thousands of mourners lined the procession route for Rosemary Nelson who was killed on Monday by a bomb placed in her car. The pro-British Red Hand Defenders terrorist group claimed responsibility for bomb in an apparent attempt to ignite partisan ire and wreck the peace process.

      Nelson had represented several suspected Irish Republican Army defendants in her career, leading some to accuse the Royal Ulster Constabulary police force of colluding in her death. Signifying a rise in tensions following the attack, rioters took the streets on Thursday night, throwing firebombs and stones at police. Meanwhile, Bishop Francis Gerard Brooks called for peace and said retaliation would be disrespectful of Nelson's memory "who strove by political and legal means to right a grievance."