Cardinal Vincent sends messages to London's French community and Archbishop of Paris

Notre Dame de France

Cardinal Vincent sent a message to the French community in London based at Notre Dame de France, the French church in Leicester Square, in which he says:

"Today I wish to express my horror at the events in Paris last night. These killings are to be utterly condemned. The random and brutal killing of innocent people is always a crime crying out to heaven.

"I want to assure you of my thoughts and prayers this morning. I pray for all who have died, for those who have been bereaved and traumatised, for the city of Paris as it wakes to a changed world with new challenges for all who believe in peaceful cooperation and constructive engagement in all spheres of life. I pray too for the Muslim community and everyone in it who repudiates violence and who longs for peace. I assure you, too, of the prayers of the Catholic community in England and Wales today and in the weeks to come.

"May God bless France. May God give comfort to all the citizens of Paris. May God forgive us our sins and guide us always in the ways of peace.|

Cardinal Vincent also sent a message to Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois, Archbishop of Paris, expressing heartfelt condolences and offering prayers for all who have died. In this message, he said:

"On this sad morning I send to you my heartfelt condolences for all who died last night at the hands of terrorists in your city of Paris. I assure you of my prayers at the moment of profound disturbance, fear and disbelief.

"These killings are condemned by all right minded people as a crime against all that true religions hold to be true. I know that you will lead the Catholic community with wisdom and love and give that example to all who attend to your voice.

"I am sending my greetings to the large French community here in London assuring them of my prayers and those of all our Catholic community in England and Wales.

"May God bless France and all her people."

+Vincent Nichols