23.05.2017
Archbishop of Dublin Prays for All Affected by Manchester Attack
Our hearts go out to the people of Manchester this morning as we learn the details of a devastating attack which has taken the lives of so many children and young people and injured many more.
Through our sorrow we pray for those whose lives have been changed utterly as a result of this callous act, for those who have lost loved ones, who have been injured, who have witnessed things they should never have to see and who have fought to help others. We pray also for the emergency services and for those who will help others come to terms with what happened last night.
Manchester is a city many of us will know intimately whether we have lived, worked or been educated there or visited to enjoy the highs and lows of sporting endeavour.
The children and young people affected by this attack were living their lives and enjoying a concert, as many children and young people like them did in Dublin over the weekend when the same artist performed here. We pray that they can find the peace of God in the midst of this tragedy.
We pray also that, while the aim of these people is to divide and make us fear ‘the other’, that there will be leaders in every community who can reach out to the other to seek truth and understanding.
Books of condolence have been opened in both Christ Church Cathedral and St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin.
Archbishop Michael Jackson