OCEANIA/AUSTRALIA - Australian Christians unite in ecumenical prayers for victims of London terrorist attacks

Monday, 11 July 2005

Sydney (Fides Service) - The different Churches and communities in Australia urged all Christians to pray for the victims of the July 7 terrorist attacks on London and many met for ecumencial rpayer services and special Masses. Many Australians have family and friends in London. The people of the newest of the continents is close to the people of London.
In Catholic communities special Masses were celebrated and prayer vigils were oragnised. During Sunday Mass on 10 July Archbishop Dennis Hart of Melbourne read out a special prayer for the people of Britain in which he said terrorism stems from hearts filled with hatred the exact opposite to love which comes from God.
A lay Catholic Luke Mattys told Fides: “We express our sympathy and assure our prayers for all the stricken families. We want to help in any way we can even though we are far away”.
Jack De Groot, of Caritas Australia sent a message of condolence to the people of London and Britain in which he said the London bombs wanted to stop the G8 meeting from helping the poor people of the world. De Groot called on the international community not to give in to terrorism but to continue the fight against poverty and disease in the south of the world to build a better world.
Christians all over Australia joined in ecumenical prayer services for the victims of the bomb explosions in London. Protestant Pastor Andrew Taggert said “ecumenical initiatives are important to express grief but also hope: Christians come together to share concern and to recognise the Lord God as the only source of hope and help in these difficult times”.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 11/7/2005 righe 23 parole 234)


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