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Church leaders condemn killing of British aid worker


Cardinal Vincent Nichols and the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby have both condemned the murder of British aid worker David Haines whose death was announced in video released by IS militants in Syria.

In a statement, Cardinal Nichols said: "It is with great sadness that we hear of the killing of David Haines in what can only be described as a repugnant and chilling attack on human life. In its destructive savagery, it is an act that expresses the worst and most misguided aspects of human nature.

In contrast, I wish to pay tribute to David Haines, who by his untiring service to those who suffer the ravages of war, lived a life that demonstrated all that is best in humanity. His concern for others manifested itself in his commitment to helping others, without counting the cost to himself, ultimately paying the price with his life.

My thoughts and prayers are for his family and for all who knew him and were touched by him. I stand with others of all faiths and none in condemning this savagery and asking for a renewed political resolve to work for lasting peace and the upholding of human dignity for all in the Middle East."

In a sermon preached at Bristol Cathedral, Archbishop Welby said: "We are living through a time when it seems that daily the darkness deepens, the shadows fall, the weight of human evil seems to grow and even those who stand up for what is good find themselves assailed on every side.

"All of us today will have heard this morning of the brutal, cruel murder of David Haines. He was in the Middle East on humanitarian work, he had gone to serve the people of Syria and Iraq, and his captors captured him, held him, toyed with the hopes of freedom, and then killed him.

"And so where is Christ in that? On Holy Cross Day we are reminded above all that he is with David Haines, that he is in the depths of evil and the depths of our own suffering because of the cross."

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