‘Hopeful Act’ to Gather in Churches and Cathedral

The Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam, said it would be a ‘hopeful act’ in the aftermath of the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal for the community to gather in churches during Holy Week, and especially in Salisbury Cathedral. Holy Week runs from Palm Sunday, 25 March, until Easter Day, 1 April.

People of all faiths and none are welcome to attend services at any Church of England church or cathedral.

The Bishop said that it this would assert the ‘enduring truth’ that goodness is stronger than evil and love is stronger than hate.

The Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam said:

“Salisbury is an eight-hundred-year-old cathedral city, gathered around one of Europe’s greatest buildings, which exists to celebrate the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“We are about to go through Holy Week to Easter. The events we will remember include the brutal execution of an innocent man when there were questions of truth and false judgement by earthly powers, betrayal, denial and desertion by his friends, the recognition of his innocence by strangers, and the care of good people who ensured a decent burial.

“The life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ shows that hatred and subterfuge do not have the last word.

“The difficulties of the last few weeks following the attack on Sergei and Yulia Skripal have created anxiety, anger, desolation and bewilderment. In Holy Week, Salisbury will assert that we stand by a different and better story.

“Many people have shown dedicated service of others with considerable expertise, love and care. Even in difficult circumstances there is much to pray about and much to hope for.

“This Holy Week it would be a hopeful act for the community to gather in our churches and especially in Salisbury Cathedral to assert the enduring truth that:

“Goodness is stronger than evil;
Love is stronger than hate;
Light is stronger than darkness;
Life is stronger than death;
Victory is ours through Him who loves us.

Desmond Tutu, who is a Canon of Salisbury Cathedral.

“Everyone of good will who cares about Salisbury and the implications of what has happened here will be very welcome.”

ENDS

Principal Holy Week Services at Salisbury Cathedral

The main services held at Salisbury Cathedral during Holy Week are as follows. Full details of all services are available from the Cathedral website, www.salisburycathedral.org.uk. People of all faiths and none are welcome to attend services at any Church of England church or cathedral.

Palm Sunday, 25 March
10.30 am – The Eucharist with Procession of Palms from Choristers’ Green
4.30 pm – Choral Evensong

Maundy Thursday, 29 March
11 am – Eucharist of the Chrism and Reaffirmation of Vows
7.30 pm – Eucharist of the Last Supper

Good Friday, 30 March
10 am – A Service for Children and their Families
11 am – Walk of Witness through the city centre by Churches Together in Salisbury
12 noon – The Good Friday Devotion
1.15 pm – The Liturgy of Good Friday

Easter Day, 1 April
5 am – The Easter Liturgy
10.30 am – Choral Eucharist
3 pm – Festal Evensong