Press Releases02 Apr 11

Statement by Archbishop of Armagh & Bishop of Derry on PSNI Officer's Murder, Omagh

Murder of PSNI Officer in Omagh
 

Statement by The Most Revd Alan Harper, Archbishop of Armagh, and the Rt Revd Ken Good, Bishop of Derry and Raphoe

There are no words to adequately describe the inhumanity of the murder of a young PSNI officer in Omagh today. The cruelty and shame of those who committed this act, either in planting the device or in supplying of information, is displayed to all of the world. It has brought needless devastation to the family of this young officer. It is also an act for which those responsible will indeed answer not only to their conscience but to their maker.

The Church of Ireland community is both proud and indebted to the service of this brave young officer. We stand united with his family and hope that our heartfelt prayers and sympathy will bring some comfort in their great loss. We offer our deep sympathy and support to the family and to his colleagues and friends and we call on all people of faith to hold them in their prayers; and we ask everyone to support the PSNI in every way possible as they seek to protect the public and bring to justice the perpetrators of today’s heinous crime.

We are resolved as Christian people to come together with all our neighbours in this community, regardless of politics or background. We are building a community where hatred has no place and in which political difference will never be successfully addressed with violence.

ENDS