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

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
Arrest of Christians in Egypt over TikTok comedy video condemned
Arrest of Christians in Egypt over TikTok comedy video condemned

The arrest of six young Christians in Egypt over a TikTok video recreating a scene from a comedy film has been condemned by religious freedom and human rights organisations.

Churches urged to tackle loneliness by making friendship a priority
Churches urged to tackle loneliness by making friendship a priority

Churches are being encouraged to put friendship at the heart of their ministry as concerns grow over rising loneliness in society and within congregations themselves.

Micah 6:8: Walking humbly with God in the ordinary everyday life
Micah 6:8: Walking humbly with God in the ordinary everyday life

God is already present. The question is: will we live conscious of His presence?

Christians calls on British Medical Association to drop opposition to NHS trans guidance
Christians calls on British Medical Association to drop opposition to NHS trans guidance

The BMA is “deeply concerned" the guidance is "exclusionary to trans and non-binary staff and patients”. Christian Concern says guidance should be determined by biological sex.