The Bishop of Kensington has written to churches across London and further afield to invite them to ring their bells 72 times at 7pm on the 14th June to mark the fourth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire, in a coordinated effort to ensure the victims of the tragedy continue to be remembered.
Last year, more than 100 churches – ranging from parish churches to well-known sites such as St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and Southwark Cathedral – joined Bishop Graham’s campaign to mark the third anniversary.
In messages to churches in London and to Diocesan Bishops across the UK, Bishop Graham reminded them that the Grenfell Tower fire was more than just a London event, but one that affected people deeply across the entire country and indeed the world and continues to affect people caught in the cladding crisis across the nation.
Churches across the Kensington Area, under the leadership of the Bishop of Kensington, were instrumental in offering support immediately following the fire in 2017, and in supporting the community’s wellbeing and cohesion in the three years that have followed.
Bishop Graham worked closely with the community in the aftermath of the fire and undertook a series of interviews that culminated in the publication of a report, “The Social Legacy of Grenfell”. This sought to identify the societal issues that Grenfell brought to the fore and posed an agenda for change in wider society, to improve community cohesion and wellbeing and to recognise the place of faith communities in times of crisis and change.
The Bishop of Kensington, the Rt Revd Dr Graham Tomlin, said:
“I know that this national act of remembrance was greatly valued last year by the Grenfell bereaved and survivors, and they have asked if it might be repeated this year. There is a sense that until some measure of justice and closure has been achieved through the Grenfell Public Inquiry, and particularly bearing in mind those who continue to be affected by the Cladding Crisis, it is important to keep the memory of Grenfell in the public consciousness, particularly as public acts of remembrance are still limited this year due to the restrictions on gathering due to the pandemic.”
Grenfell United, the bereaved families and survivors group, said:
“It means a lot to our families and the community that across London bells will ring out in memory of 72 loved ones lost at Grenfell. Thank you to all faith communities standing in solidarity with our community in North Kensington, paying their respects and showing that our 72 loved ones remain forever in our hearts.”
Churches are invited to sign up on Eventbrite