Bells ring out for bomb victims

Vigils were held across Europe for the victims of last week's terror boimbings in London. Standing sombrely on the doorstep of Westminster Cathedral, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor led prayers after a two minute silence. Joining him in the sun-struck piazza, where thousands gathered to keep a two-minute silence, was the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Tim Joiner, and the Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain, Archbishop Faustino Sainz Munoz. As the cathedral bells tolled, Mgr Mark Langham, the Cathedral Administrator, asked the assembled crowd to observe the silence. Afterwards, the Lord Mayor gave an address and the Archbishop of Westminster said the following prayer: Lord, we bring before you Those who have been killed and wounded by acts of terror, Those scarred in mind and body, Those who live with loss, Or with the memory of fear. Be with them in their suffering. Stand beside these victims With your gentle arm around them To support them and give them hope. Bless those who mourn, Especially those who grieve For their children and loved ones; And comfort them in this darkest hour. Renew our resolve That goodness will prevail, And our determination to preserve All that we hold precious. Turn the minds of those Who seek their aims through terror To grasp that all life is sacred. The Cardinal was joined by other faith and community leaders at a 6pm gathering in Trafalgar Square. At Clifton Cathedral in Bristol the beginning of the two minute silence was marked by the slow solemn ring of the funeral bell. Canon Robert Corrigan, the Dean of Clifton Cathedral, said: "The bell's sound invited people in the Cathedral and surrounding area to join with people throughout the country and the world in silent prayer and remembrance for all those who died in the terrorist attack in London a week ago, for their families who mourn, and for all those who are still suffering. "But it was also an invitation to join with the voices of people who are saying 'we are not afraid' - not afraid to reject extremists whatever their creed, colour, or race, and not afraid to work for unity with all the people who make up the communities that form our city and country."