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Grenfell Tower victims remembered at memorial service on fifth anniversary

(Picture: Fb/Westminster Abbey)

A memorial service was held at Westminster Abbey as we speak to recollect all those that misplaced their lives within the Grenfell Tower tragedy 5 years in the past.

The names of the 72 victims who misplaced their lives within the horrific fireplace on 14 June 2017 had been learn out in the course of the service. 

The congregation included leaders of various faiths in addition to Theresa Could, who was Prime Minister on the time, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, and Housing Secretary Michael Gove.

The service was led by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, who mentioned that the sense of loss was “nonetheless vivid and sharp” 5 years on.  

“We collect on holy floor, in a spot of reminiscence and memorial, in a church on the coronary heart of our nationwide life, to recollect those that misplaced their lives in Grenfell Tower; kinfolk, buddies, and survivors,” he mentioned.

“We collect with the bereaved, and with so many others whose lives had been modified on that horrible night. 5 years later the loss and the anguish are nonetheless vivid and sharp.

“We collect in sorrow and in ache. Right here we renew our dedication to recollect these we’ve got misplaced. We collect as those that search for justice and a renewed dedication to securing security in our properties, security in occasions of fireside.

“Grateful for the assist of the communities and people which have sustained the bereaved and the survivors over the past 5 years, we meet in religion and hope trying to a greater, safer, surer future.” 

In his deal with, the Bishop of Kensington, the Rt Rev Dr Graham Tomlin, spoke of the “longing” for justice. 

“As we speak we acknowledge the ache, the darkness. We additionally lookup and see the sunshine – we recognise that there’s additionally One which we are able to belief, a God, a God who loves justice, who guarantees to be with us and who in the end, even when it takes time, brings about justice and goodness – and we’re invited to belief in his unfailing love,” he mentioned.

“For these of us who’re Christians, we see that within the Resurrection of Jesus, that turned the grief of his loss of life into the enjoyment of Easter. So as we speak we lament.

“We’re not there but on the journey in the direction of the sunshine. We identify the fact, the darkness that occurred at Grenfell.

“But we additionally declare hope – we declare that we’re not alone in our eager for justice and backbone – that the God who has planted the need for justice in our hearts stands with us as we search goodness.” 

Candles had been lit in reminiscence of every of the victims and the bells of Westminster Abbey had been tolled 72 occasions. 

The choir sang Psalm 102:1, “Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my crying come unto thee.”

A multi-faith service held on the foot of Grenfell Tower was joined by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who laid a wreath. 

The native Soul Sanctuary Choir sang Superb Grace.

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