The Archbishop of Wales Dr Barry Morgan, who grew up in a village close to Cilybebyll, the son of a miner, said, “My thoughts and prayers are with the trapped miners and their families. I understand the anguish they are going through and I know they will draw strength from the community which is now enveloping itself around them. They can be assured that the whole of Wales is praying for them.
“I am very grateful to the Rector of Cilybebyll, Martyn Perry, who has been ministering to the families in the community centre since yesterday afternoon, offering them comfort and support. I will join him there this afternoon. The road to the church in the village is closed to allow emergency traffic to get through but the church hall in nearby Resolven is open for people to pray and light candles.”
Dr Morgan, who is also Bishop of Llandaff Diocese, an area which includes Cilybebyll, grew up in Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen, about seven miles from Cilybebyll. His father broke his back in a serious mining accident.
For more information, please contact:
Anna Morrell
Archbishop's Media Officer / Swyddog y Cyfryngau i'r Archesgob
Tel: 02920 348208; mobile: 07 91 91 587 94
39 Cathedral Rd, Cardiff / 39 Heol y Gadeirlan, Caerdydd
CF11 9XF
http://www.churchinwales.org.uk
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Archbishop's prayers for the Welsh miners and their families
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has released the following statement regarding the tragedy in the Gleision Colliery, Wales:
We shall be praying for all those involved in the tragedy at Gleision Colliery – the men who are trapped and their families, the rescue services, and of course the one miner whose body has been found and his family. I hope and pray that there will be better news during the course of today; and meanwhile our thoughts are with all who are working for rescue.
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