The Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill
The Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill

The Bishop of Lichfield has joined other church leaders to pledge continuing support for the people of Pakistan after the floods that have devastated the country.

An open letter was penned by the Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill and bishops from Coventry, Birmingham Hereford and Worcester andexpressed sympathy to the Pakistani community in the region.

In the message, the bishops said the disaster had touched “Christians as well as Muslims” in the UK.

The letter – titled A Message of Sympathy and Support – read:

“As Bishops in the West Midlands we are very conscious that the Pakistani community of all faiths in our region is bearing a heavy burden of distress following the unprecedented flooding in Pakistan earlier in the summer. As we write to you many will be coming towards the end of their Eid celebrations.  We can only begin to imagine the poignancy of such celebrations amid the sorrow as so many families are deeply touched by the misery of the last seven weeks in Pakistan.

“With the waters continuing to devastate floodplains in the south of the country, we want to assure the whole community both of our prayerful concern and of our ongoing pledge to encourage financial assistance. This terrible humanitarian disaster has touched so many in Britain, Christians as well as Muslims, and we have witnessed strong sympathy for all those affected directly or indirectly by the floods as we visit our parishes and communities.

“When the media moves on from this crisis to the next, be assured that the churches of the West Midlands will continue to remember those who have lost lives, homes and livelihoods. We will continue to pray for wisdom for all those in leadership; governmental, non-governmental, international and local, as they seek to bring hope and alleviate the suffering of so many people in Pakistan.

“We will continue to encourage financial and other support to help address the most urgent needs of food, water, accommodation and health for all in need.”

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.