Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, has written to the priests and people of his diocese after yesterday’s terror attack in Westminster calling for prayer and “compassionate solidarity”.
Expressing his shock at the violence that brought “horror and killing” to London’s streets, Cardinal Nichols asked Westminster’s priests to lead Catholics in prayer for Aysha Frade, whose children attend a Catholic primary school in the capital, PC Keith Palmer who died protecting those in the Houses of Parliament, the injured young French students and all those who have been injured not to mention those who care for them.
Concluding his message with a call for compassionate solidarity, Cardinal Nichols said:
“Let our voice be one of prayer, of compassionate solidarity, and of calm. All who believe in God, Creator and Father of every person, will echo this voice, for faith in God is not a problem to be solved, but a strength and a foundation on which depend.”
Dear Fathers, Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Yesterday’s attacks in Westminster have shocked us all. The kind of violence we have seen all too often in other places has again brought horror and killing to this city.
I know you will lead people in prayer, especially for those who have lost their lives and those who have lost one they love. Pray for Aysha Frade, killed by the car on Westminster Bridge. Her two children attend St Mary of the Angels Primary
School. Pray for them and for their father. And please remember the young French students who have been injured.
We remember too all who have been injured, and those who care for them.
We pray in particular as well for Keith Palmer, the police officer who died, and for his family, thanking God that so many show such brave dedication to keeping our society safe.
Let our voice be one of prayer, of compassionate solidarity, and of calm. All who believe in God, Creator and Father of every person, will echo this voice, for faith in God is not a problem to be solved, but a strength and a foundation on which depend.
With best wishes,
Cardinal Vincent Nichols
Archbishop of Westminster
Cardinal Nichols on BBC Radio Essex. Wednesday, 22 March 2017.
