The Archbishop of Selsey has issued a statement condemning the arson attack on Peacehaven Mosque, expressing sorrow, solidarity with the Muslim community, and a call to peace, charity, and justice across Sussex.

At about 9:50 p.m. on Saturday, 4 October, a fire broke out at a building on Phyllis Avenue, Peacehaven, used as both a mosque and community centre. The blaze caused damage to the front entrance and also destroyed a vehicle parked outside, though thankfully no injuries were reported. Sussex Police have confirmed that the incident is being treated as arson and as a possible hate crime. Detective Superintendent Karrie Bohanna described the response as a “fast-moving investigation” and appealed for witnesses, urging anyone with CCTV, doorbell, dashcam, or mobile footage from the area to come forward.

His Grace has issued the following statement:

[Begins] The news of last night’s deliberate fire at the Peacehaven Mosque has brought sorrow and grave concern to all people of faith and goodwill across Sussex. Such an act—whatever its motive—strikes at the heart of neighbourly peace and the moral fabric of our common life. It is not only a crime against property, but an offence against charity and conscience.¹

We extend our sincere sympathy and solidarity to the Muslim community of Peacehaven, assuring them of our prayers and friendship. The deliberate desecration of any place set apart for the worship of God wounds the entire community. Every religion that seeks the good and the true must be free to gather in peace, without fear of hatred or reprisal.²

The Lord commands us to love our neighbour as ourselves.³ This is not a sentiment, but a sacred duty. In moments such as these, Christians must be first to denounce violence, to comfort the afflicted, and to rebuild trust where it has been broken. Let us stand together against all forms of hatred—religious, racial, or ideological—and reaffirm our shared commitment to peace rooted in justice, truth, and respect for human dignity.⁴

I urge the faithful of the Old Roman Apostolate to remember in their prayers the victims of this attack, those who serve in our emergency services, and all engaged in restoring safety and concord in our towns and villages. May Almighty God bring healing to the injured hearts of our neighbours, strengthen our communities in mutual respect, and turn every act of darkness into an occasion for greater light. [ENDS]

✠ Jerome Lloyd
Titular Archbishop of Selsey
Primus of the Old Roman Apostolate

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1 Sussex Police, “Appeal for Information After Arson in Peacehaven” (October 5, 2025).
2 Cf. Vatican II, Dignitatis Humanae, 2 – “Religious freedom, which men demand as necessary to fulfill their duty to worship God, has to do with immunity from coercion in civil society.”
3 Mark 12:31.
4 Cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2304 – “Respect for and development of human life require peace. Peace is not merely the absence of war… but the work of justice and the effect of charity.”