Tributes paid to bombing victims

The victims and survivors of the 7 July London bombings have been honoured in a national memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral in London.
Candles were lit to represent the four bombing sites and prayers said for all involved, including the emergency workers who dealt with the aftermath.

The Archbishop of Canterbury told the service: "Those who so pointlessly and terribly died were...non-replaceable."

The Queen and Tony Blair joined the bereaved families and blast survivors.

Transport workers, senior politicians and police officers were also among the 2,300-strong congregation.

The attacks by four suicide bombers killed 52 people and injured hundreds.

Random attacks

In a moving sermon Dr Rowan Williams said: "We are here grieving, after all, because those who so pointlessly and terribly died were, each one of them, precious, non-replaceable".

He continued: "Those who suffered injury and deep trauma and loss are likewise unique, their minds and hearts scarred by this suffering.

"Time gives perspective and may bring healing; but the trauma of violence, and even more the death of someone we love, makes a difference that nothing will ever completely unmake."

He spoke of the fear caused by the randomness of terrorist violence.

"It really doesn't matter who you are, what you have done or not done, what you think and believe, you are still a target just by being where you are at a particular time."

Four candles were lit in a poignant Act of Remembrance - one for each of the four blast sites at Aldgate, King's Cross, Edgware Road and Tavistock Square.

The Christian service was planned to emphasise the multi-faith nature of London and the bombing victims.

Dr Williams said the faiths had responded to the tragedy together.

A "candle of hope" was also lit by a 15-year-old Sikh, an 11-year-old Buddhist, a 15-year-old Jew, a 12-year-old Hindu, a 14-year-old Muslim and an 18-year-old Christian
Prayers were then offered for the emergency services first on the scene.

The Dean of St Paul's, the Very Rev Dr John Moses gave thanks for the lives of those who died, as well as remembering "the victims of terrorism all over the world".

"We pray for all who mourn, for all who are rebuilding their lives and we give thanks to those who shared, often at great cost to themselves, in the work of rescue and rehabilitation.

"We remember in particular the staff of Transport for London, the police, the paramedics, the doctors and nurses of London hospitals, clergy and faith leaders, all men and women of goodwill who assisted in any way."

More than half of the congregation had lost a family member or friend or had been injured in the blasts.

Many relatives said it was painful event, but were glad they had attended.

Among those attending were Cathy Johnson, from Nottinghamshire, who lost her 38-year-old husband, Adrian, in the Piccadilly Line blast.

Mrs Johnson, who has a son and a daughter aged nine and six, said it would be good to meet the other families affected.

HAVE YOUR SAY
Sincere condolences to all who lost loved ones in this despicable event

Billy Hawkhead, Copenhagen, Denmark


Send us your comments

Seven-year-old Ruby Gray, from Ipswich, whose father Richard was killed in the Aldgate blast, presented a posy to the Queen.

After the ceremony the Queen met some of the relatives of those who died.

Others at the service included the Duke of Edinburgh, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, Chancellor Gordon Brown, Opposition leader Michael Howard, Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy, London mayor Ken Livingstone and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair.

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor led the prayers of remembrance and thanksgiving.

The 7 July Assistance Centre, based in central London, is continuing to offer help to those affected by the events