The Rt Rev David Hamid, the Church of England’s suffragan Bishop in Europe, has sent a message of solidarity and prayers to colleagues in Norway after the recent terror attacks. For additional reports on Norway – see Worldwide area on this site.
Bishop Hamid, who is part Scottish and part Burmese, and has also served the Anglican Communion in Canada, and as an ecumenical adviser, sent his letter after speaking with Archdeacon Brian Russell, who is looking after St Edmund’s Oslo while the chaplain, the Rev Janet Heil, is on vacation.
He writes: “On behalf of the clergy and people of the Church of England Diocese in Europe I want to send this message to express our sorrow and to convey our deepest condolences to our sisters and brothers in Norway, following yesterday’s massacre in the centre of Oslo and on the nearby island of Utoya.
“We are aware that there has not been such an act of violence to strike your nation since World War II, and that in a nation of just under 5 million people, a tragedy of this dimension will affect the whole population. That the gunman sought to attack the nation’s youth, gathered to think and reflect together about issues concerning the future of the country, adds to the pain of this immense tragedy.
“Norway is known throughout the world as a peace-loving country, which takes leadership among the nations to protect the weak and uphold the dignity of all. At this time of national sorrow, your Anglican brothers and sisters, in Norway and across our diocese, stand with you and assure you of our prayers, for the nation, for all who have died, and for the many families and friends who are affected. We pray for God to strengthen the faith of your people at this time, and to bring comfort to a country in shock, and console all who have lost loved ones.”