UK's 100,000 Covid death toll is a 'day of great sadness', says Vincent Nichols

 (Photo: Unsplash/iMattSmart)

The head of the Catholic Church of England and Wales has asked people to pray after the Government confirmed that 100,000 people in the UK have now died from Covid-19.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols said it was a "day of great sadness all over the land".

"So many people, families, communities, remembering those who have died in these terrible months of the pandemic. Each one is mourned. Each one is to be prayed for," he said.

"This is our instinct, our faith, our practice. Our prayer is rooted in the faith that, in death, life is changed, not ended, for the promise of eternal life opens the door of hope even in our darkest moments.

"I pray for each and everyone, those who have died, those who mourn, those who serve.

"Please, please, join me in prayer."

Church leaders in the Church of England are also calling on people to pray

The UK has the highest death rate from coronavirus in Europe and one of the highest in the world, with the toll far exceeding the 20,000 deaths that chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance said back in April 2020 would be a "good outcome". 

Confirming the numbers on Tuesday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was "deeply sorry for every life that has been lost". 

"It's hard to compute the sorrow contained in that grim statistic," he said. 

News
Correspondence from Alice in Wonderland author, Lewis Carroll, discovered in Lincoln Cathedral
Correspondence from Alice in Wonderland author, Lewis Carroll, discovered in Lincoln Cathedral

The letter mentions a number of people who partially inspired scenes from Carroll’s most famous work, Alice in Wonderland.

Cost of living tops list of concerns for young Australians in Christian survey
Cost of living tops list of concerns for young Australians in Christian survey

The annual survey by the national Christian charity shows a sharp and sustained shift in what matters most to young Australians.

Police still haven't decided if pro-life campaigner will be charged for silent prayer
Police still haven't decided if pro-life campaigner will be charged for silent prayer

Pro-life campaigner Isabel Vaughan-Spruce has had a legal Sword of Damocles over her head for 10 months as British authorities continue to decide whether or not to charge her for silent prayer in an abortion clinic buffer zone.

Most people in Britain believe that Christmas has become too commercial
Most people in Britain believe that Christmas has become too commercial

Many Brits want a return to tradition, a survey by the Children's Society has found.