PARIS ATTACKS: Church-goers to pray for victims and families

Prayers will be said at churches across Scotland for those who lost their lives in yesterday’s attacks in Paris.
The Rt Rev. Dr Angus Morrison has expressed his horror at the attacksThe Rt Rev. Dr Angus Morrison has expressed his horror at the attacks
The Rt Rev. Dr Angus Morrison has expressed his horror at the attacks

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has spoken of his horror at the atrocities which have left hundreds of people dead and injured.

The Rt Rev. Dr Angus Morrison says the thoughts and prayers of the Church are with the people of France.

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“News of the latest terrorist attacks in France have shocked and appalled us all,’’ he added. ‘‘It is impossible to comprehend the mindset that leads people to perpetrate such indiscriminate barbarity against their fellow human beings.

‘‘There can be no possible justification for such wicked acts which sadly revealhumanity at its very worst.

‘‘My heart - and I speak for us all in the Church of Scotland - goes out in deepest sympathy to all who have lost family members and friends and to those who have been injured in this atrocity.

‘‘We hold them in our thoughts and prayers as we continue with renewed determination to work and pray for the coming of God’s Kingdom of justice and peace in all the world.

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‘‘Such assaults are an attack on us all and on the values we cherish. In our divided world the task of peacemaking has never been more important.”

A prayer will be issued through the Church website, www.churchofscotland.org.uk, later which can be used by congregations across the country seeking to reflect on the tragedy during church services on Sunday.

A statement released on Friday evening by the Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi. said: “We are shocked by this new manifestation of maddening, terrorist violence and hatred which we condemn in the most radical way together with the Pope and all those who love peace.

“We pray for the victims and the wounded, and for all the French people. “This is an attack on peace for all humanity, and it requires a decisive, supportive response on the part of all of us as we counter the spread the homicidal hatred in all of its forms.”

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