"Justice must follow" the Hillsborough jury's verdict the Bishop of Liverpool has said after the court ruled the 96 who died in a stadium crush in 1989 were unlawfully killed.
The jury found match commander David Duckenfield "responsible for manslaughter by gross negligence" and said police errors added to the dangerous situation. Rt Rev Paul Bayes paid tribute to the families of the victims who have "stood for truth and justice" since the disaster in the FA cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.
"We have waited a long time for these determinations and today was bound to be a difficult day," he said after the verdict.
"It brings raw emotions and painful memories to the surface once again, for the families and for our city region. But there is also real comfort today, because the accusations at the time that Liverpool's fans contributed to this tragedy have finally been proven to be false.
"The steady journey continues. The families have always said that they seek truth and justice, and the inquests have worked longer than any in British legal history to uncover the truth. Now justice must follow."
The home secretary Theresa May is expected to make a statement on the verdict to the House of Commons tomorrow. Christian Today understands the former Bishop of Liverpool James Jones will be praised for his role as the chair of the independent panel into the disaster that led to new inquests. Bayes also praised his predecessor in his work to "get us to this point".
He said: "Together with my colleagues from all the churches, I commit myself to support those who hurt, help those who grieve and show God's love and compassion for all...This story continues because that pain continues, but we will walk forward with hope in our hearts. And as Christians we believe that the God of all love and strength will walk alongside us into the future."
Bayes was joined by the Bishop of Leeds, Nick Baines, who praised Jones' "courage, clarity and committed impartiality" in search of the truth.
Baines continued in an article for the Yorkshire Post: "The police and others now deemed to be in some way responsible for the tragedy must address their personal and collective response. This will not be easy for them. Justice must in the end be liberating for everyone, even those for whom the truth is painful."
Several MPs have added their tributes. Birkenhead MP Frank Field, who is a Catholic, said: "I hope this clearest of conclusions from the inquest goes some way in helping the families who lost loved ones to know that there is justice in this world and that the terrible gnawing feeling they had, that they were unable to win this judgement for their loved ones, is now assuaged."
There will be vigil in Liverpool on Wednesday evening after Tuesday's ruling. The Dean of Liverpool, Dr Pete Wilcox, will attend to represent the Church of England.
