Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster, has called for prayer, compassionate solidarity and calm in the wake of yesterday’s terrorist attack in London.
He urged prayers for those who had died and lost their loved ones. He noted that one of the victims, Aysha Frade, a 43-year-old who worked at a nearby sixth form college, had children who attended St Mary of the Angels primary school in Bayswater, west London. Aysha Frade is understood to be a British woman with family in Galicia, Spain. Yesterday afternoon she was reportedly on her way to pick up her children from the school.
Four people – two pedestrians, a police officer and the assailant – were killed in the attack outside the Houses of Parliament.
Cardinal Nichols, president of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, said: “Yesterday’s attacks in Westminster have shocked us all. The kind of violence we have seen all too often in other places has again brought horror and killing to this city.
“I know you will lead people in prayer, especially for those who have lost their lives and those who have lost one they love. Pray for Aysha Frade, killed by the car on Westminster Bridge. Her two children attend St Mary of the Angels Primary School. Pray for them and for their father. And please remember the young French students who have been injured.
“We remember too all who have been injured, and those who care for them.
“We pray in particular as well for Keith Palmer, the police officer who died, and for his family, thanking God that so many show such brave dedication to keeping our society safe.
“Let our voice be one of prayer, of compassionate solidarity, and of calm. All who believe in God, Creator and Father of every person, will echo this voice, for faith in God is not a problem to be solved, but a strength and a foundation on which depend.”
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