Bishop Alan Hopes has welcomed a message of support from the Muslim Council in Peterborough following the recent terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka including on two Catholic churches.
Its chairman, Mohammad Choudhary, wrote to Bishop Alan saying: “We want to express our extreme shock and most sincere condolences to our Christian brothers and sisters at the callous and barbaric terrorist attacks on the churches, Christians and other citizens of Sri Lanka.
“We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the rest of humanity in our support for the innocent civilians killed, injured or affected in any way by this most horrific cowardly attack on places of worship and public places. The sanctity of places of worship of all faiths and innocent lives is paramount and fundamental tenant of Islam.
“We join in prayers with all faiths for solace of those who were so cruelly affected and pray for the peace of mankind and eradication of devious and extremist thoughts amongst all sections of society.”
Bishop Alan replied: “I much appreciate the kind and positive message. Your solidarity with us in prayer and in our deep respect for the dignity and sanctity of all human life is much welcomed.
“Let us continue to pray for peace and justice throughout the world and for an end to all terrorist activity which is so contrary to God’s Law.
“With profound gratitude for your message and an assurance of our respect for all our Muslim brothers and sisters in Peterborough and across the Diocese.”
An invitation has been extended to join the Dominican Sisters of St Joseph in walking the 50 miles from Bury St Edmunds to Walsingham on the annual St John Paul II Pilgrimage.
The pilgrimage takes place from Thursday August 1 to Sunday August 4 and costs £90 for individuals, £60 for students and the unemployed and £50 for families. For more information contact sistercarino@dominicansistersofstjoseph.org, or ring 01590 681874. Book at www.dominicansistersofstjoseph.org/JPII
A big thank you to all those who came and supported the Charity Film Night at St John the Baptist Cathedral, where there was a screening of the film, ’Power in my hands’ a film all about the power of the prayer of the Rosary, says organizer Helen Savelli.
A total of £360.55 was raised for the charity, Mary’s Meals which feeds some of the poorest children in our world in a place of education.
A licence (which lasts for a year), to screen the film ‘Power in my Hands’ in parishes and groups (up to 100 people), has been purchased. If anyone is interested in borrowing the film on DVD with a view to putting on the film in their parish or prayer group please contact helen@savelli.co.uk for more information.