Paris Congregation 'Stunned' By Attacks

Tuesday November 17

The minister of the Scots Kirk in Paris has said that people there are ‘stunned’ by the terrorist bombings and shootings of last Friday.

The Rev Jim Cowie added that the congregation was also concerned about racial tensions following the atrocity. He said there was heightened tension following the attacks on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in January.

At the Scots Kirk service on Sunday, a candle was lit, ‘partly in remembrance, but also to remember Jesus, the light of the world which darkness and evil could not extinguish’.

Mr Cowie said: “After a time of silent remembrance, we followed the theme of hope which conquers all, but which we may not see in our lifetime.

“We had a time of sharing before prayers of intercession, and several folk talked of their fears for young people reacting in unhelpful ways. At schools often Muslim teens are targeted as responsible for Muslim extremists.

“Racial tension bubbles under society here as in most countries. After Charlie Hebdo a Christian church was targeted and a woman killed in Paris.

“All churches were on alert and an armed guard at the radio station opposite the Church made us feel safer.

“We pray for comfort for those who grieve, and peace in our world.”

The Scots Kirk congregation dates back to the 1850s and has worshipped on its current site near the Champs-Elysées since 1885 (although the building has been replaced twice). 

It is famous for its association with the Rev Donald Caskie (‘the Tartan Pimpernel’), who was minister in Paris before forced out by the Nazis in 1940, and later helped hundreds of allied troops escape occupied France. It is also the church where Eric Liddell preached rather than run on a Sunday during the 1924 Olympics.

Post Tags: paris

Related Stories

Comments

There are currently no comments on this post

Add a reply

All fields are required. Email address will not be published.