Prayers said for MG Rover workers

Thousands of workers are losing their jobs

Prayers were said at church services across the West Midlands on Sunday after the collapse of MG Rover.

The Rt Rev Jonathan Gledhill, Bishop of Lichfield, had asked clergy across the diocese to remember those people affected by the firm's demise.

He said many people were facing a period of "immense uncertainty, emotional pain and distress".

Bishop Gledhill added that he hoped a "new beginning" would not be far away for those who have lost their jobs.

"Despite all the hopes of the past seven days, the announcement from MG Rover's administrators is a devastating blow," he said.

'Hope and resurrection'

"First to the many thousands of individuals and families directly affected by the redundancies; and second for the many more thousands of people who will feel the knock-on ripple effects; not only in Birmingham but also in the Black Country, Staffordshire and Shropshire."

He said churches and industrial chaplaincy teams were prepared to provide support and he called on all churches in the diocese to offer prayers to all those affected.

The bishop added: "The future may look grim; but the Christian faith is about hope and resurrection and we must all pray that a new beginning for those made redundant wont be far away."

The Most Rev Vincent Nichols, Catholic Archbishop of Birmingham, said: "I am very sad to hear the news from Longbridge.

"It is an extremely difficult time for thousands of people and their families associated with MG Rover. It is the end of an era.

"I hope and pray that all concerned will work together to find new ways of enterprise and manufacturing here in the Midlands."