As Covid deaths rise above 100,000 in the UK, Cardinal Vincent Nichols offers his prayers for the dead and grieving.
“A day of great sadness all over the land. So many people, families, communities, remembering those who have died in these terrible months of the pandemic,” he said, “Each one is mourned. Each one is to be prayed for.
“This is our instinct, our faith, our practice. Our prayer is rooted in the faith that, in death, life is changed, not ended, for the promise of eternal life opens the door of hope even in our darkest moments.
“I pray for each and everyone, those who have died, those who mourn, those who serve.
“Please, please, join me in prayer.”
As a further 1,631 people died yesterday within 28 days of a positive test, the UK hit the landmark figure.
In his statement yesterday, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “It is hard to compute the sorrow contained in that grim statistic”.
“I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who has lost a loved one”, he continued.
“To all those who grieve, we make this pledge, that when we have come through this crisis, we will come together as a nation to remember everyone we lost and to honour the selfless heroism of all those on the frontline who gave their lives to save others.”
Johnson said he took “full responsibility” for government actions.
Areas of Catholic Herald business are still recovering post-pandemic.
However, we are reaching out to the Catholic community and readership, that has been so loyal to the Catholic Herald. Please join us on our 135 year mission by supporting us.
We are raising £250,000 to safeguard the Herald as a world-leading voice in Catholic journalism and teaching.
We have been a bold and influential voice in the church since 1888, standing up for traditional Catholic culture and values. Please consider donating.