• Statement on the Christchurch Terror Attacks Against Muslims

    Glasgow in Scotland and Christchurch in New Zealand are linked by the fact that each contains a cathedral built to an identical design.

    Christ Church Cathedral and St Mary’s Cathedral, Glasgow were built to identical plans.

    Christian hearts and Muslim hearts are made to the same design as one another. Today we weep for all those who are victims of terror and intimidation.

    Sadly, we are joined together in being broken-hearted at the news of the callous attacks against Muslim communities in Christ Church.

    Christians follow teachings which encourage them to welcome strangers. There is no anti-immigrant rhetoric that can be called Christian.

    Any attack on people at worship diminishes us all.
    Any attack on people at worship is an attack on civilization.
    Any attack on people because they are of the Muslim faith is utterly wrong.

    My love and prayers go to the Muslim communities directly affected by this tragedy and to our own Muslim friends in Glasgow.

    There is only one God and the God whom we all worship has compassion on all who mourn.

2 responses to “Cedric’s Sermon – 22 January”

  1. Rosemary Hannah Avatar
    Rosemary Hannah

    Laughed a lot – thought it was bang on.

    I will say it again, though – in my experience no church ever grows unless it is offering a really good quality of worship and has an involved and welcoming congregation.

    Similarly, any church which cannot offer these is a disaster waiting to happen.

    But every shrinking church is not a church without these things, though too many are.

    Learning to look out, to ask ‘How can we serve others by offering what they truly need?’ is a good place to start. Asking: ‘What if God wanting here?’ is indispensable.

  2. Rosie Bates Avatar
    Rosie Bates

    Thank you so much Canon Cedric. Must admit to a touch of the spiritual glums last Sunday re the history of my personal stance in the Diocese of Oxford. Now you have me laughing all the way to the ‘bank of grace’ and the hope that lies within us.

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