EUROPE/GREAT BRITAIN - This time last week: National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies reflects on July 7 terrorist attacks on London: “Even though at that time we didn’t quite know what we felt, for us it was vital to know that at that time Jesus was there - suffering with all his people”

London (Fides Service) - It was a dreadful day for the country and for London especially. After the elation of winning the Olympic bid and the high hopes for the G8 meeting particularly after the huge protest march for the MAKE POVERTY HISTORY campaign led by Cardinal Patrick O’Brien Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh and Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor Archbishop of Westminster , people’s hearts and minds were devastated.
Those caught up in the tragedy were obviously confused and lost but the emergency services were utterly professional in their response assisting the injured to hospital, helping others to return to their homes and work and beginning the painstaking work of finding out the real extent of the damage wrought by this evil and terrible work as well as looking for other survivors. As ever, we owe them our deep thanks.
Many people rallied round and almost defiantly encouraged each other. It seemed as though a deep silence hit London during the few hours after the bombs and it was only broken by the sirens of the emergency vehicles and people only spoke to each other in hushed tones. The sense of ‘fellow feeling’ was very intense and hugely necessary.
This was evil but in the human spirit there resides the great hope and conviction that it will never conquer. People of all faiths and none were killed and injured and their lives and those of their families can never be the same but likewise people of all faiths and none are proving that we were created for a much more loving world.
For us it was vital to know that at that time Jesus was there - suffering with all his people - even though at the time we didn’t quite know what we felt. What helped enormously were the supportive emails and phone calls that we received from our PMS partners all over the world - our best friends indeed.
Now, at a few days distance, we can also remind ourselves that for many other people these kinds of events are very much part of their every day existence and we pray for them.”. (Fr. John Dale) (Agenzia Fides 14/7/2005 righe 26 parole 365)