Bishop Paul’s Words at the Vigil in Nottingham

Several thousand people gathered in the Market Square this evening to join in a Vigil paying tribute to the precious lives of the three people who died in the horrific attacks in the city on Tuesday morning. Many moving words were shared, including from the family of those bereaved.

Bishop Paul spoke alongside other faith leaders and assured the family and close friends that churches across the city would continue to pray for them in the very difficult days to come.

Bishop Paul said, “Even after the outpouring of so much shock and grief by many thousands these past few days, Nottingham is not about to move on, and in one sense we never will. But we are ‘moving in’ – pressing in to hold one another more closely, to strengthen bonds of love, stepping over invisible barriers that sometimes may threaten to divide us, moving in to comfort those whose grief is too heavy to ever bear alone.”

“We say to the family and close friends of Grace O’Malley Kumar, Barnaby Webber and Ian Coates: we will not forget you or cease to pray for you in the very difficult days to come.

As churches across Nottingham, we are thankful to play a part in this creative and compassionate city in moments of triumph and in supporting people during times of unimaginable tragedy and loss. May God strengthen the hearts that are so very broken tonight and Christ Jesus bring healing to our city.”

Bishop Paul concluded with the words of a prayer for the city that he said will have been prayed many times in Nottingham over the years:

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep.

Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.