Following the news of the terrible fire in Hong Kong, which has killed more than 100 people who were living in the high-rise buildings which were devastated by the blaze, Bishop Steven and Bishop Mary have sent this message:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the tragic and deadly fire in Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong. We know this will affect many across our diocese in particular our sisters and brothers who have recently left Hong Kong to settle in Berkshire and elsewhere in the diocese. Please know that we stand with you and are praying for you and families and friends.”
+Steven, Bishop of Oxford
+Mary, Bishop of Reading
We share in this prayer written by the Revd Mark Nam, founder of the Teahouse Movement and translated by Katie Woo, National Church Hong Kong Communities enabler.
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A prayer for all affected by the devastating news in Tai Po
Most merciful God, hold in your tender mercy all who mourn following the fires in Tai Po. Comfort those who have lost loved ones; calm their troubled hearts, and surround them with your steadfast love.
Be near to all who wait anxiously for news of those still unaccounted for. As you stilled the storm, bring peace to their fear and hope to their vigil.
Strengthen and protect all who serve on the front lines—firefighters, rescue teams, medical staff, police officers, social workers, community leaders, and volunteers. Sustain their compassion, and bring them safely home.
We pray for the people of Hong Kong: for unity in the face of tragedy, and for love to be shown in acts of mercy and kindness. Bless the churches of Hong Kong as they offer care and witness to Christ’s hope.
We remember the Hong Kong community in the United Kingdom, especially within the Diocese of Oxford, and the wider diaspora. Comfort all who are anxious for family and friends far away, and draw us together in prayer and compassion.
This we pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Translated into Traditional Chinese for the Hong Kong communities:
牛津教區禱文
至仁慈的天主，求祢以慈悲憐憫所有在大埔火災中哀悼的人們。
求您安慰失去親人的家庭，撫慰他們憂傷的心靈，並以您堅定不移的愛環繞他們。
求您與所有焦急等待失蹤者消息的人們同在。
如同您平息了風暴，求您賜予他們平安，撫慰他們的恐懼，賜予他們盼望。
求您堅固並保護所有奮戰在一線的人們—消防員、救援隊、醫護人員、警務人員、社工、社區領袖和志工。
求祢賜給他們慈悲之心，並引領他們平安回家。
我們為香港人民祈禱：願他們在悲劇面前團結一致，願愛以仁慈和善行彰顯。
求祢祝福香港的教會，使他們能關懷他人，見證基督的盼望。
我們記念在英國的香港社群，特別是牛津教區內的香港社群，以及更廣泛的海外香港僑民。
安慰所有思念遠方親友的人，願主以禱告和憐憫將我們凝聚在一起。
我們奉主耶穌基督的名禱告。阿們。