Cardinal Vincent Nichols has written to the President of the Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka, Cardinal Albert Malcolm Ranjith, to express his shock and sadness at hearing news of the Easter Sunday bombings of churches and hotels that killed 290 and injured over 500 people.
Your Eminence,I woke this morning to the sad and shocking news of the bombings at churches and hotels in Sri Lanka, after the recent years of peace.
I write to assure you of my prayers, and, I am sure, of the prayers of many within England and Wales, first and foremost, for those who have died. We also keep in our prayers those who have been injured, and whose lives have been radically changed by this violence.
We remember in our prayers especially this morning the Sri Lankan community in England and Wales, many of whom may well have direct connections with those caught up in these atrocities. I feel deep dismay that those targeted and killed include Catholics gathering to celebrate the joy of Easter. They have a special place in our prayers.
May the risen Lord strengthen all people in Sri Lanka, and nurture in them an unquenchable hope, both in the promise of heaven and in our capacity to contribute to the building of a peaceful society.With my fraternal good wishes,
Yours sincerely,
Cardinal Vincent Nichols
Archbishop of Westminster
President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales
