Logo

 

Banner Image:   National-News-banner-Purple
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet

'Walk on with dignity' - Blessing Read at Hillsborough Vigil 

A Baptist minister led the final prayer of blessing at a vigil in the centre of Liverpool to remember the 96 victims of the Hillsborough tragedy on Wednesday

 
The Revd Phil Jump, regional minister team leader of the North Western Baptist Association was joined by the Bishop Tom Williams, the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Liverpool to conclude the gathering outside St George's Hall.

He thanked God that 'truth had been unwrapped from deception', before asking for grace 'to walk on with dignity in the face of the justice that has finally begun to emerge, and the injustice that has been exposed in its pursuit.'

The vigil followed the report from the Hillsborough Independent Panel. Chaired by the Revd James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool, it highlighted a catalogue of police lies and a culture of cover-up in relation to the disaster, when 96 people lost their lives on overcrowded terraces ahead of an FA Cup semi-final in 1989.

Liverpool fans relatives of the victims have campaigned for 23 years to find out exactly what happened.

At the vigil Liverpool FC representatives Kenny Dalglish, Ian Ayre and Jamie Carragher, and Everton's Graeme Sharp, read out the names of the victims. A gospel choir's rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone ended the gathering.


Phil, a lifelong Liverpool fan, has written this reflection following the publication of the report. It includes the full text of the blessing.
 

    Post     Tweet
‘We can choose to tell a new story – one of gracious growth’
​General Secretary Lynn Green urged Baptists to embrace a story of hope and renewal rather than decline in her closing address at the Baptist Assembly
'God's Baptist people are in good heart' - Steve Finamore's reflections
Outgoing Baptists Together President Steve Finamore shared encouraging signs of church growth and renewed hope across Baptist networks
More than 60 ministers and pastors commissioned at Baptist Assembly
Ministers who have transferred to the fully accredited list, nationally recognised pastors and recognised local ministers were commissioned and prayed, in a session which also featured the In Memoriam
Mission Resolution introduced at Assembly
Designed to build a shared understanding of mission across Baptists Together, this marks the beginning of a two-year process of discernment, dialogue, and engagement, with the goal of the resolution being adopted at the 2027 Baptist Assembly
'We thank God for all the ways that he is graciously at work in and through us'
General Secretary Lynn Green celebrated the power of collaboration across Baptists Together in sharing three highlights from the past year
'Every fellowship is a disciple making environment'
A mission conference led by BMS World Mission formed the first 24 hours of the Baptist Assembly weekend
     Latest News 
    Posted: 21/05/2025
    Posted: 07/01/2025
    Posted: 07/01/2025
     
    Text Size:  
    Small (Default)
    Medium
    Large
    Contrast:  
    Normal
    High Contrast