WASHINGTON (July 7, 2005)—In a letter to Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor,
president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales,
Spokane Bishop Willliam S. Skylstad, president of the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), expressed “support and concern as
the British people experience the results of the terrible bombings which
took place in London today.”
This is the text of the letter.
July 8, 2005
By FAX
His Eminence
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor
President
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales
39 Eccleston Square
London SW1V 1BX
ENGLAND
Your Eminence,
We in the United States remember with great appreciation the tremendous
expression of support and concern received from the Church in England and
Wales and from many other hierarchies at the time of the devastating
terrorist attacks upon our nation on September 11, 2001.
I would like to offer you an expression of similar support and concern as
the British people experience the results of the terrible bombings which
took place in London today. Just as your nation was celebrating the great
honor of London’s being chosen to host the 2012 Olympic Games, which are
meant to symbolize international solidarity and good will, it is tragic
that you should now have to face the terrorism which seeks to divide
nation against nation and which shadows the globe with the specter of
sudden death perpetrated against the innocent.
Those who have died and their families are in our prayers. We pray as well
for the healing of those who were injured. We pray for you and your fellow
Bishops that you might be strengthened in this sorrowful moment by your
faith in the Lord who rose to new life after the most fearful of deaths
and inspire your people with your example of faith, hope, and love.
With fraternal greetings and confidence in the Lord’s love for his
children in England and Wales, I am
Sincerely yours in the Lord,
Most Reverend William S. Skylstad
Bishop of Spokane
President