Cardinal 'shocked to the core' by attack on Manchester Synagogue

Cardinal Vincent Nichols

Source: Archbishops House

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, has released a statement expressing his shock and assuring the Jewish community of his prayers after the terror attack on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester earlier today (2 October).

"The killing of two Jewish worshippers, the injuries inflicted on others, and the attempt to drive a car into a crowd in Manchester today are expressions of utter hatred that must not be tolerated in this land. That such an attack is directed at the Jewish community, and on Yom Kippur, this most solemn of days, shocks me to the core.

"Jewish and Christian people are closely bound together in our common faith in God. Indeed, in the Catholic tradition, Jewish people are held to be the 'elder brothers' in faith of our Christian family. My prayers, and those of the Catholic community, are heartfelt and profound: for those who have died, the bereaved, the injured, and those who will feel less safe tonight.

"It is a duty of us all to work together to ensure a more cohesive and respectful society, one in which such violence and inhumanity have no place."

Bishop John Arnold, Bishop of Salford, has shared the following statement:

"The local Catholic community stand united in our prayers for the Jewish community following the tragic attack on a synagogue in Manchester, especially on this sacred day of Yom Kippur.

"We condemn such acts and pray for those who have died, the injured, emergency responders, and all affected.

"Let us work together in hope to strengthen our community solidarity. We must remain united in our common beliefs against those who sow hatred and division.

"We also pray for peace and tolerance around the UK and the world."

The Rt Reverend Patrick McKinney, Bishop of Nottingham and Lead Bishop for Interreligious Dialogue for the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, said:

"I was deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the vicious attack, on this most holiest of days in the Jewish calendar, outside the Manchester Synagogue which resulted in deaths, injuries and such deep distress upon those gathering there for prayer.

"On behalf of Catholics throughout the Diocese of Nottingham, I pledge our prayerful support for all families affected and for all our Jewish brothers and sisters at this most difficult of times.