An iconic statue of the crucified Christ has been reinstated outside a church on Belfast’s Falls Road.
The 20-foot ‘Passion of Christ’ figure fell from the cross outside St Paul’s Church in February. Clerics and parishioners acted quickly to move the statue and used a trolley to take it from the scene.
A spokesperson for the Diocese of Down and Connor said at the time that an iron join between the figure of Jesus and the cross appeared to have “worn away” and vandalism was not to blame. He said the statue had to be assessed to gauge if it could be repaired or had to be replaced.
According to historical papers the Belfast landmark, which has stood for decades under trees across from the Royal Victoria Hospital, could be seen by a German airman lit up in the night as bombs rained down on the city during the Blitz.
A blessing of the statue by Bishop of Down and Connor Noel Treanor took place on Monday night.