Presidents of Churches Together in England are deeply saddened by the death of Sir David Amess, murdered as he served his constituents this week. He was a man who saw his office as Member of Parliament for Southend West as one of service to the people he represented, and one informed by his Christian faith, which shaped many of the concerns by which he promoted the common good. We pray his example of service to our nation may strengthen our democracy and deepen our commitment to the just and peaceable community that David Amess worked to build. Our prayers are for Julia, his widow, his children and their wider family, and also for all Members of Parliament as they fulfil their demanding responsibilities with diligence and courage. May David rest in peace and rise in glory.
Churches in membership with Churches Together in England recognise the power of forgiveness in the face of tragedy, and stand with Sir David’s own family who have asked people “to set aside their differences and show kindness and love to all”. As we seek to live out Christ’s injunction to ‘love our neighbour as ourselves’ we pray that all whose religious or political beliefs turn them to violence and hatred may have a change of heart and mind.
Archbishop Justin Welby (Church of England)
Cardinal Archbishop Vincent Nichols (Catholic Bishops’ Conference)
Rev Dr Hugh Osgood (Free Churches Group)
Bishop Tedroy Powell (Church of God of Prophecy)
Archbishop Nikitas (Ecumenical Patriarchate, Diocese of Thyateira and Great Britain)
Supported by
Hannah Brock Womack (on behalf of CTE Fourth Presidency Group)
Rev Dr Paul Goodliff (General Secretary, Churches Together in England)
Further information:
- Churches Together in England (CTE) is the national ecumenical instrument supporting and encouraging churches from a wide range of traditions to work together in unity. Nationally, CTE brings together 51 Member Churches from many diverse traditions. In fact, we unite the broadest range of churches in the whole of Europe. CTE’s strapline is: One in Christ Jesus, engaged in God’s mission, empowered by the Spirit. Read more about CTE
- Churches Together in England is represented by Presidents from the major traditions of our Member Churches. There are usually six presidents, but the fourth presidency is currently not enacted. This follows a request by CTE’s Enabling Group in November 2019, reflecting the lack of agreement within the churches in England regarding aspects of theological and moral discernment, and the reality that this dimension of the churches’ pilgrimage together is not yet complete.