Prayers for peace and solidarity are being said across the Diocese of Leeds following the latest terror attack in London.
On Monday night, (June 5th) Bradford Cathedral hosted a vigil at 6pm for the victims of the London Bridge attacks and people of all faiths and none took part. It was attended by both the Bishop of Bradford, Rt Revd Toby Howarth and the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Abid Hussein. The Cathedral was filled with people of all faiths and none as candles were placed at the chancel steps and prayers were led by faith leaders.
Bishop of Leeds Nick Baines said on Monday’s Radio 4 Thought for the Day how Christian commitment would conquer violence, death and destruction.
https://nickbaines.wordpress.com/
Bishop of Bradford Toby Howarth echoed those sentiments on BBC Look North in a film broadcast on Sunday at 6.45.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b08rz3h6/look-north-yorkshire-weekend-news-04062017
In the broadcast—available to view for a limited time only, Bishop Toby said, “What do we do with our anger, what do we do with our frustration and our fear and all those natural feelings which come up? And I think what I’ve been seeing in Bradford is that this is a city that chooses life, it chooses love, it chooses to stand together.”
Bishop of Huddersfield Jonathan Gibbs, sent this message to the Kirklees Mosques and Advisory Board, which organised a peace vigil held on Sunday afternoon:
“Greetings to you all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am very sorry that I cannot be with you this afternoon.
“We stand together as Christians, Muslims, people of all faiths and none, in condemning the evil attack that has taken place in London as well as all acts of terrorism throughout the world.
“These actions have nothing to do with the central beliefs that we share in the sanctity of life and in our common humanity as people made in the image of God.
“We commit ourselves to supporting one another across our communities and to doing all we can to root out and expose those who plan and perform such evil.
“We also resist those who wish to stir up hatred by blaming particular ethnic and faith communities for what has happened.
“We must stand together for the sake of peace and unity in this nation and across the world. May God’s peace rest upon you and upon all those who have been affected by these hideous crimes.”