The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, has offered his prayers for the victims and those suffering in the aftermath of last week's devastating earthquake in New Zealand.
In a letter to Archbishop John Drew, President of the country's Catholic Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Nichols said:
'I write on the behalf of my fellow bishops and Catholic Community of England and Wales to express our sadness at the devastating impact that the recent earthquake has inflicted on the people of Christchurch.
'I want to assure you we are united with you in our prayers for all those who have suffered. Please pass on my personal thoughts to Bishop Barry Jones [Bishop of Christchurch] as he carries out his pastoral ministry to the victims and their families.'
The 6.3-magnitude quake hit Christchurch on 22 February 2011. Over 150 people are believed to have been killed with hundreds still missing.
A special service for all those who have died or were injured in the earthquake was held at Westminster Cathedral on Wednesday 2 March 2011.
