Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, 

We join with Church leaders from around the world in expressing our shock and horror at the senseless violence and terror carried out on the people of Paris.

We ask Anglicans and all people of good will to join in praying for those who have died, those who have been injured, those who are mourning and those who are in shock.

We give thanks for the courage and sacrifice of emergency service personnel and for ordinary citizens who went to the aid of others.

We commend for your prayer these words from the Suffragan Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Europe, the Rt Rev David Hamid: 

Once again violence and terrorism have struck France and the world is in shock. The numbers of dead and injured in the attacks across Paris must make this one of the deadliest of such crimes.

Across the diocese this weekend we will be praying for the people of Paris at this time of national mourning, distress and fear.

We pray for all who have died that our Loving God will welcome them into his arms.

We pray that God will comfort all who grieve, as well as the injured and the fearful.

“And we pray that terrorism may be overcome and violent hearts turned to paths of peace.

“In the face of hatred we pray that we may show forth love, and in this time of despair we remember our calling to be lights in a darkened world.

May the peace of the Lord be with you.

A PRAYER FOR PEACE

Compassionate God and Father of all, we are horrified at violence in so many parts of the world. It seems that none are safe, and many are terrified. Hold back the hands that kill and maim; turn around the hearts that hate. Grant instead your strong Spirit of Peace – peace that passes our understanding but changes lives, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen” (From  Prayers for Peace, website of the CoE)

++Winston Halapua
++Philip Richardson
++Brown Turei

The Archbishops of Aotearoa. New Zealand and Polynesia

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