Local Anglicans offer prayers for bombing victims in Pakistan
The bombing on Sunday of an Anglican Church in the troubled Pakistani city of Peshawar has prompted Bermuda’s Anglican leadership to call for prayers and declare their solidarity against terrorism.Bishop of Bermuda Nick Dill has written to Humphrey S Peters, Bishop of Peshawar expressing support for the congregation and has asked if there are ways the Anglican Church here can help in rebuilding lives.On Sunday, as worshippers finished service, two suicide bombers detonated outside All Saints Church, which was dedicated in 1883 and is part of the diocese of Peshawar.Eighty-five people were killed, the majority being children, women and the elderly, in the worst ever attack in Pakistan.Bishop Nick has urged all Anglicans in Bermuda to pray for their “sisters and brothers” of All Saints and their priest, Rev Ijaz Gill.“The Anglican Church of Bermuda wants to demonstrate solidarity with the Church in Peshawar as it faces these uncertain times,” he said.Although a minority in Pakistan, Christians have generally lived in peace with their Muslim neighbours since the country was formed out of colonial India.Links to the diocese began over the past decade, first under Bishop Ewen Ratteray, who invited the then Bishop of Peshawar, Rev Mano Rumalsha to preach here.Later, Canon Keith Wassall, who served at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity to maintain the link.Bishop Humphrey S Peters, the Bishop of Peshawar, said: “We are grateful to all those who prayed and are praying regularly for us.“We are thankful to all those who are standing with us to raise their voices against this brutal attack.“We are thankful to all those brothers and sisters who stood with us in this difficult time and are supporting us through prayers.”Bishop Humphrey goes on to ask that the family of Christ all around the world lift them up in their prayers as they go through a very hard time.