Catholic bishops in the United Kingdom are praying for peace amid rioting sparked by the tragic stabbing of several children at a dance class last week, saying “such violence threatens the values of our society”. Source: National Catholic Register.
“I condemn the appalling violence over the past week, especially that directed at migrants and their places of residence,” Auxiliary Bishop Paul McAleenan of Westminster, the UK’s lead bishop for migrants and refugees, said in a statement.
“They demonstrate a complete disregard of the values which underpin the civil life of our country.”
The protests follow a stabbing attack at a children’s dance class in Southport, England, which left three young girls dead and nearly a dozen people injured.
According to the BBC, the 17-year-old suspect was born in the UK and his parents are immigrants from Rwanda, a predominantly Christian country in central Africa.
Reports have emerged of protestors attacking and damaging hotels housing asylum seekers, including a Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on Sunday night. About 240 asylum seekers who had been staying at the hotel were moved overnight after clashes between police and a crowd of hundreds of people, the BBC reported.
Amid promises by Prime Minister Kier Starmer to make rioters feel “the full force of the law,” police in the UK have arrested nearly 400 people since the protests began last week, and trials for some rioters have already begun.
“Today, and always, we need to continue to pray, work, and stand together for peace in our country,” Bishop McAleenan said.
“The actions of the few involved in violence stands in stark contrast to the work of charities, church groups, and volunteers who tirelessly extend the hand of welcome to migrants in acts of solidarity.
“We hope and pray that they will redouble their efforts so that we can rebuild communities after the terrible events of the last few days.”
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UK Bishops Pray for Peace Amid Widespread Violent Protests Over Stabbing Attack (By Jonah McKeown, CNA via National Catholic Register)
