Candles in the Wind

(2/14/2003)

An estimated 800 people gathered on Wednesday, February 12, 2003, at Southwark Cathedral in Central London for a special memorial service to honor the 26 U.K. subjects who lost their lives in the Bali bombing of October 12^th.

The eight centuries old Anglican church, located not far from London's famed Thames River, was decorated with Balinese decorative accents and floral arrangements made from Balinese orchids flown in especially for the ceremony. A Balinese gamelan orchestra provided incidental music for worshippers who were led by Prince Charles, Australian Prime Minister John Howard, British Foreign Minister Jack Straw and British Secretary for the Interior David Blunkett.

Candles in the Wind

26 candles commemorating the lives of the 26 U.K. subjects who perished in the international terror bombing of a Bali nightspot were lit during the ceremony which was held on the day marking the four month anniversary of the attack. In all, some 192 people died in the outrage, including 88 Australians.

Bishop Richard Harris of Oxford led the service, telling those who attended how the events of October 12^th in Bali reminded the world of the tragedy always surrounding us in our daily lives. He went on to say that while terrorism always ignores humanitarianism, it is precisely with humanitarianism, intelligence, and the prudent use of force that the world will manage to eventually defeat the scourge of terror.