In response to the saddening attack in Lahore on Sunday 27th March 2016, a letter addressed to the Asian Christian Fellowship in Luton by Richard Atkinson (Bishop for Bedford & Luton) and Bonnie Evans-Hill (St Albans Diocesan Inter Faith Advisor and member of the GRASSROOTS team) was written stating:
28th March 2016
We share in the sorrow and concern of those deceased and affected by the brutal attack on innocent children and adults in Lahore, gathered for Easter celebrations on Sunday 27th March 2016.
Our thoughts and prayers are with them, but also with you all in Luton, as you would personally know some of those affected by this unfortunate incident.
At Easter time, when we celebrate HOPE in Christ’s resurrection, we greet you all, in the name of that Christian hope.
Atrocities such as the one in Lahore yesterday and in other parts of the world e.g. recent attacks in Brussels & Turkey, have the capacity to undermine our trust in God, and in God’s creation, which God loved so much that He gave His only begotten Son for.
May Christ’s hope help us and strengthen us to contain our anger and frustrations, one more time, and bring it all, before God in prayer, who, we believe understands well, the pain and suffering of being persecuted, attacked and tortured.
We write this to express our solidarity and share our concerns with you all and with all the Christians in Lahore, Pakistan. This is to assure you that you are not alone and that we in St Albans Diocese uphold you all in our thoughts and prayers.
We offer our prayers for constrain, solace, healing and courage to nourish our fellow Christians here in Luton, in Lahore (Pakistan) and worldwide.
Signed:
+ Richard Atkinson (Bishop for Bedford & Luton)
+ Bonnie Evans-Hill (St Albans Diocesan Inter Faith Advisor)
The full letter can be read here.
The Sunni Council of Mosques and Luton Council of Mosques also wrote a letter of condolence and support to Bishop Atkinson, Luton Council of Faiths and other Christian colleagues in Luton. This letter can be read here.