NI churches to pray for victims

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Churches in Northern Ireland are being asked to pray for the victims of the London bomb attacks.

Church of Ireland Primate, Archbishop Robin Eames, said all dioceses would pray on Sunday for the victims and for those giving assistance.

Catholic Primate Dr Sean Brady said his thoughts and prayers were with the dead, the wounded and their families.

More than 50 people have been confirmed dead and 700 others were injured in Thursday's attacks.

Archbishop Eames said it was "with horror and disbelief" that the Bishops and members of the Church of Ireland heard of the indiscriminate attacks.

"We express our support and solidarity for those affected and, indeed, for all people living in London at this time, but especially for the injured, traumatised and bereaved and for those providing emergency services."

Archbishop Brady said his thoughts and prayers "are with the dead, the wounded and their families".

"On behalf of my brother bishops and myself I offer my condolences and prayers to all those affected," he said.

Presbyterian Moderator Dr Harry Uprichard has written to the Moderator of the United Reformed Church to express his sadness and support.

In his letter to Dr David Peel, he said: "From our own experiences here we know what a vital role churches play at times like this and we pray for your ministers and congregations bringing comfort and care in this situation."

Books of condolence have been opened by the mayors in Belfast and Londonderry and in other council areas, for those killed, injured and bereaved in the attacks.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland political leaders have united in their condemnation of the bombings.

Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain described the attacks as a "barbaric and sickening atrocity".

He said anyone planning any future attacks of terrorism would be "opposed and beaten".

Dr Eames said there was "horror and disbelief" over the attacks

DUP leader Ian Paisley said it was important that people did not give in to terrorism.

"We in Northern Ireland have passed this way many times. We have walked down this dark road, the bloody road of separation, and we can sympathise," he told MPs in the Commons.

Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey said: "We in this part of the UK have experienced first hand the evil of republican terrorism and stand shoulder to shoulder today with the people of London.

"Today has demonstrated yet again the evil of terrorism and the evil of the ideologies that use terror."

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said he had sent a message of sympathy and solidarity to Prime Minister Tony Blair and Mayor of London Ken Livingstone.

"On behalf of Sinn Fein I offer my sincere condolences to the victims and the families of those killed and injured and to the people of London," he said.

'Innocent human life'

SDLP leader Mark Durkan said the attacks would "instil deep fear among the entire London community".

"At a time when the eyes of the world are on the G8 summit and the possibility of agreed action to address some of the fundamental injustices in this world, it is all the more appalling that such an awful injustice should be perpetrated on completely innocent people."

This is terrorism and violence perpetrated against ordinary people ... it's just a black mark on society, a devastating blow against people Bertie Ahern Irish PM

Irish President Mary McAleese has also sent a message of sympathy to the Queen on behalf of the people of Ireland.

She said the bomb attacks were a "vicious waste of innocent human life".

Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern condemned the London blasts "a black mark on society".

"This is terrorism and violence perpetrated against ordinary people ... it's just a black mark on society, a devastating blow against people," he said.

Anyone worried about relatives in the city can contact police on 0870 1566 344 . The Irish embassy's emergency number is 020 7201 2501.