Manchester Attack
A statement from the Dean of Lichfield, The Very Reverend Adrian Dorber:
Lichfield Cathedral joins the whole of our country in sending its prayers and condolences to the people of Manchester after the terrorist bombing of the Manchester Arena. We are thinking of all those who lost their lives and we extend our sympathy and concern to their families together with all who were injured or traumatised by witnessing this terrible event. It has been good to hear of the wonderful response of the people of Manchester – Hotels, cafes and restaurants providing places to shelter whilst people waited to move to safety, taxi drivers providing free lifts for people caught up in the chaos. We pray that the community’s resilience and strength may be fortified by the rest of the nation’s solidarity and determination not to succumb to the fear and threat of violence and malevolence.
A Prayer
Father of all people, your ways are peace and your will is justice, remember all killed and maimed in the Manchester bombing. Bring comfort and strength to all who mourn, families devastated by sudden and shocking death, lives changed by terrible injury, memories scarred by bloodshed. Bring peace to minds troubled by suffering and hope to all in despair. Bless with integrity and purposefulness all who must rebuild trust and community and all who seek answers to bewildering evil.
All this we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, victim of human evil, and conqueror of death.
Amen.