Coptic Orthodox Church UKMedia and Communications Office
Statement from His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos OBE, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London and Papal Legate to the United Kingdom following the attack on worshippers at a Synagogue in Manchester in the United Kingdom
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| Photo by Mike Labrum on Unsplash |
2 October 2025
On a day during which we should have been expressing greetings to the
Jewish community on the occasion of Yom Kippur, the most sacred day in the
Jewish religious calendar, we are regrettably now expressing condolences after
the heinous attack on the community at Heaton Park Synagogue, Manchester. Due
to the connected nature of the Jewish community, this incident will have a much
wider effect and impact on many in Manchester, across Britain, and around the
world. We also acknowledge that today’s tragedy will deeply impact the communities
in the surrounding neighbourhoods, across the United Kingdom and beyond.
Places of worship are safe havens, with people at their most exposed and
vulnerable as they open themselves up in prayer and worship, so attacks on them
are especially deplorable. It has been shared that due to the timing of the
service this morning, the congregation would have been comprised of mainly the
elderly and young children, who are even more vulnerable which makes this
attack unfathomable.
We must recognise that rhetoric of hatred and division which we see
increasing in daily discourse will undeniably give rise to such attacks. There
is no excuse for violence and terrorism, and we must all strive not to be part
of anything that leads to incitement or hatred towards those who are deemed ‘the
other’.
There is now a need for leadership at every level to ensure words and
actions that bring a sense of justice, peace, calm and resolve to communities
that are suffering deeply as a result of today’s tragedy.
We pray repose for those whose lives were taken, comfort for the bereaved,
and reassurance for those feeling immense vulnerability in the wake of today’s
attack.
*Ends*
