On Tuesday 21st August, Cardinal Vincent wrote to the Keralan/Malayalam Catholic community to express his 'solidarity in prayer' with them for the victims of the Keralan floods.
The Cardinal prayed: 'May the Lord's healing touch console all those who mourn and may they be comforted by the promise of heaven.'
In the letter addressed to Frs Johnson Alexander and Sebastian Joseph, just ahead of the Feast of the Queenship of Mary, he prayed for the intercession of 'Our Blessed Lady, whose own heart was pierced by a sword of sorrow' asking her to pray for the community 'at this time of immense sadness'.
He also assured them of the 'prayers and deepest sympathy of the Catholic community in England and Wales'.
The full text of the Cardinal's letter:
Dear Fr Johnson and Fr Sebastian,
I am writing to assure you and the Keralan/Malayalam community of my solidarity in prayer for all those who have died, were injured or made homeless, following the devastating floods in Kerala.
May the Lord’s healing touch console all those who mourn and may they be comforted by the promise of heaven.
As we approach the Feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, tomorrow, may Our Blessed Lady, whose own heart was pierced by a sword of sorrow, pray for you and your community at this time of immense sadness.
Please be assured also of the prayers and deepest sympathy of the Catholic community in England and Wales. We pray for the eternal repose of all who have died and for all those affected by the floods.
Yours devotedly,
+Vincent
Cardinal Vincent Nichols
Archbishop of Westminster
