Hundreds Attend Paris Commemoration at St Giles' Cathedral

Monday November 16

Hundreds of people came together for a commemoration service at St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh, yesterday to remember the victims of the terrorist attacks in Paris.

The service was led by minister the Rev Calum MacLeod and attended by Scotland's Deputy First Minister John Swinney and Consul General of France, Emmanuel Cocher.

The service attracted around 600 people of all ages, including many French students.

Mr MacLeod told the congregation that Jesus said 'blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God'.

He said: "We gather as a community to support each other, to worship God, feeling numb and shocked by the terrible events that happened last week, the terror acts in Beirut, and then in Paris on Friday.

"We welcome in our midst this morning many of you who are visiting for the purpose of remembrance.

"Friends, let us stand in solidarity this day with the people of France and all those who reject violent extremism and seek constructive peace.

"Our prayers this day are for all who suffer, especially this day for the people of Paris in their pain and grief in the midst of evil," he added.

"We pray for parents grieving the loss of their children, children mourning the loss of their parents, neighbours stricken by the loss of friends, lovers torn apart by shocking violence.

"We pray for those who today begin the long road to recovery.

"Those who are deeply injured and fighting for their lives, those who have witnessed unspeakable horrors, those who heroically sought to save lives, and those already working to rekindle the embers of hope."

Mr MacLeod also offered prayers for 'all who strive for peace’ and those who 'do not know where to turn' and fear being 'unjustly blamed’.

"We pray for peace makers, the deep peace that enemies embrace and the peace of your community of love, the peace of your son - the Prince of Peace.”

Mr Cocher said he was indebted to the Church of Scotland for organising a 'very beautiful, calm, serene and solemn' service at very short notice.

He added that the French community had been very moved by the solidarity expressed by Scots.

A service was also held at the Scots Kirk in Paris. Minister, the Rev Jim Cowie, told the Daily Record newspaper: "We are devastated by what has happened. Our prayers are for the victims and their families and all affected by these senseless acts of violence.”

The Moderator of the General Assembly said that the attacks showed peacemaking had never been more urgent. The Rt Rev Angus Morrison, who is currently attending anniversary celebrations at St Andrew’s Church in Brussels, said: "News of the latest terrorist attacks in France have shocked and appalled us all. It is impossible to comprehend the mindset that leads people to perpetrate such indiscriminate barbarity against their fellow human beings. There can be no possible justification for such wicked acts which sadly reveal humanity at its very worst.

“My heart - and I speak for us all in the Church of Scotland - goes out in deepest sympathy to all who have lost family members and friends and to those who have been injured in this atrocity. We hold them in our thoughts and prayers as we continue with renewed determination to work and pray for the coming of God's Kingdom of justice and peace in all the world.

“Such assaults are an attack on us all and on the values we cherish. In our divided world the task of peacemaking has never been more important."

Dr Morrison contributed a specially written prayer for congregations seeking to reflect on the tragedy during church services and acts of remembrance.

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