Prayers offered for Woolwich victim

A man weeps outside the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich as he looks at floral tributes following the attack on Lee Rigby
24 May 2013

Mourners have gathered to pay their respects to the soldier killed in the brutal terrorist attack in London.

Around a dozen sat in silence in St Mary Magdalene Parish Church, Woolwich, offering their prayers for Drummer Lee Rigby, 25, of Middleton, Greater Manchester.

The Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark, said he had come to show "solidarity" with members of all faiths shocked by the "horrifying" murder.

The bishop said: "The event has of course traumatised many people locally, and indeed across the whole nation, because of the horrifying nature of this event. The community has rallied together, and shown that sense of solidarity, of people of good will uniting together.

He went on: "We are simply encouraging people to come and spend some time in silent, concentrated, focused prayer. I wanted to come to pay my own respects and secondly to show solidarity with this community which has suffered greatly."

The mourners sat in silence as readings were given and hymns were played, just streets away from where Drummer Lee Rigby was murdered. Some brought flowers into the quiet service.

A sign on the door read: "People of all faiths are welcome. We will be praying for those affected by the sad incident in Woolwich yesterday."

The rector of Woolwich, the rev Jesse van der Valk, paid tribute to the women who "were brave enough to stand up" to the attackers.

He told the congregation: "It's one of the incredible things that there were women brave enough to stand up to the people who carried out this killing and actually kneel with the man and to say some prayers with him."

After giving a reading from the Book of Psalms, he added: "We pray for the soul of the youngster, as we have come here to show our unity and concern for the community."

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