A church in Northern Ireland which offered sanctuary to more than 100 Romanians after they fled their homes amid racist attacks was targeted last night.

The Romanian Orthodox Church has condemned the formation of a trade union among its clergy, and has said that priests should follow church procedures in making demands and airing grievances. But the workers involved disagree.

Churches joined enthusiastic 2007 New Year celebrations in Bulgarian and Romanian towns and cities earlier today ‚Ä' events which also marked the two countries' entry into the expanding European Union.