From our friends at Birmingham Cathedral

Birmingham Cathedral was privileged to hold the Service of Remembrance for the 50th Anniversary of the Birmingham Pub Bombings on Thursday 21 November.  The cathedral was full to capacity with survivors of the Bombings, families of the twenty-one people who were killed, and the people of Birmingham.

It was particularly important, with the aftermath of the Bombings, that the Archbishop of Birmingham, The Most Reverend Bernard Longley, preached the Sermon, with Bishop Michael Officiating.

Archbishop Bernard gave a message of hope, love and challenge among all the pain that the day gives:

"Wounds leave scars and scars are a reminder of the trauma but also of the healing and they're often stronger than what they have replaced."

Read Homily in full

During the Prayers, twenty-one candles were lit on the altar as the names of those who were killed were read out, while, at the end of the Service, the Bell tolled twenty-one times. People left in silence to lay wreaths at the Monument in Cathedral Square.

The Service was broadcast live on BBC WM and on the cathedral's YouTube Channel.

In the morning, we held a Healing Through Remembering event with Maureen Slattery Marsh from the Birmingham Spiritual Direction Forum and Jonny Clark and Sylvia Gordon from the Corrymeela Community. This reflective and meditative time gave people a space to pray and think through the spiritual challenges following from terror attacks.

The cathedral has a long tradition of supporting the families and survivors, and will continue to do this.

Fr Patrick Brennan's Blog

Photo gallery

Photos c. Armin Zamanian (C of E Birmingham)