Scotland: Memorial Mass marks 30th anniversary of Lockerbie
Source: SCMO/ICN
On the 30th anniversary of the Lockerbie Air Disaster today, Holy Trinity RC Church, Lockerbie was open from 10am to allow visitors to call in for quiet reflection, to light a memorial candle or to have a chat and a cup of tea. The day ended with the celebration of Holy Mass at 7pm led by Bishop William Nolan with Canon Pat Keegans, the former Parish Priest as guest preacher together with Fr Jim Hayes the current Parish Priest.
Bishop of Galloway, Bishop William Nolan said: "Although 30 years have passed since the tragic events of 21 December 1988, the memories of the community of Lockerbie have not faded or diminished. The church today as then offers solace and support to all those affected and will continue to be present in the community of Lockerbie, praying for and supporting the town and its people as well as the American victims and their families."
Canon Keegans who was parish priest in Lockerbie in 1988, spoke movingly of the aftermath of the disaster in his homily and said of the 270 who died: "You are not just a distant memory. You are not from the past. You are precious people who live on in our hearts, for that is where your names are truly engraved."
"Some say that you have received justice. I am not at all convinced. What I can promise is that we will not close the book on the story of your lives, for the last chapter is still to be written: Pan Am 103. The truth must be known. The whole truth."
Canon Keegans concluded: "30 years ago in the darkness we kept the lights on; the light of our love. As Christmas approaches again this year we will hear the beautiful words concerning Christ. "A light shines in the darkness, a light that darkness could not overpower." (John 1:5) Our loved ones who died now experience the fullness of life and light with God."
259 people lost their lives on Pan Am flight 103. Another 11 were killed on the ground. The plane was flying from Frankfurt to Detroit via London and New York, with most passengers travelling home for the Christmas holidays.