The Bishop of London Reacts to the Bombings

07/07/05

"The attack on London is not an attack on Presidents and men of power but an attack on ordinary Londoners travelling to work by bus and tube. The bombs went off without warning and were obviously intended to cause indiscriminate slaughter of Londoners, Christians and Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs all without distinction.

"At 4 pm we are holding a special service in St Paul’s. My prayer today is for those who are maimed, injured and bereaved, a prayer also for those who are anxious and fearful.

"But also my prayer for and with all Londoners is that we may show the spirit of this city, a spirit of unity, a spirit of defiance and a spirit of compassion for all who are suffering. One immediate and practical problem is how to care for the thousands who are stranded and I know that the churches are playing their part in offering emergency shelter.

"On Wednesday evening St Paul’s Cathedral was packed with Londoners come to listen to the Secretary General of the UN and the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what can be done to tackle poverty in the world. The atmosphere was electric and the determination to do something practical to help was obvious. That is the real agenda in today’s world. By contrast this act of violence is a cruel irrelevance. It is useless to speculate on the state of mind of the people who cold bloodedly planned and executed this atrocity, but it is a sin against God and against every decent human feeling.

"I am full of admiration for the way in which the emergency services have responded. I have had a stream of reports from clergy on the spot and I have been very proud of the way they have worked along side the emergency services. The response has been prompt and magnificent. Churches in the vicinity of the bombs have been open for prayer, comfort and practical assistance."

The Bishop preached in St Paul's Cathedral on Friday 8th July. Click here to read his sermon www.london.anglican.org/SermonShow_4783