Service of solidarity to bring together people of all faiths at Leeds Minster

People from across the city are invited to pray for peace at the service this Sunday, November 22, at 6.30pm.

It will be led by the Minster’s new rector, Reverend Canon Sam Corley, and will be attended by the Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Dr Ingrid Roscoe, the Lord Mayor of Leeds, civic dignitaries and inter-faith representatives.

It follows the deaths of 129 people in coordinated terrorist attacks in the French capital on Friday night.

The services follows a solemn and emotional candle-lit vigil in Leeds city centre last Sunday, which saw more than 200 members of the city’s French community and other local residents gather outside Leeds Town Hall.

Canon Corley said the Minster service was the chance for anyone to reflect on atrocities around the world, regardless of their faith.

He said: “Following the Paris tragedies we, on behalf of the city, wanted to respond. It will be a service of remembrance to stand in solidarity with all victims of terrorism around the world, and also a chance to pray for peace.”

Candles will be lit in memory of the victims and a period of silence will be held. It is hoped the service will help solidify already-strong links between different faith communities in the city.

“The main aim of the terrorist attacks is to break down and divide different communities,” Canon Corley said. “Things like this bring people from different communities together in an act of solidarity.

“We want to highlight and emphasise the unity and common humanity that we share here.”

On Saturday night, Leeds’s First Direct Arena was lit up with the white, blue and red of the French flag in solidarity with the people of Paris. The arena was one of many well-known landmarks around the world lit to match the colours of the Tricolore.

Wakefield Town Hall followed suit on Monday evening, with its clock tower lit up in the Tricolore colours.