From Canon Ian Gomersall
Sir, - On 24 April, Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day marks the
centenary of the beginning of the massacres that cost the lives of
more than one million Armenian children, women, and men.
Special events are being held in Yerevan and elsewhere to
remember the atrocity perpetrated against the Armenians. The
achievement of genocide on this scale encouraged others later in
the 20th century to follow suit. Very significantly, Adolf Hitler
is reported to have said: "Who, after all, speaks today of the
annihilation of the Armenians?"
The Church of England has always enjoyed good relations with the
Armenian Church, and here in Manchester my own parish church has
been pleased to welcome friends from the local Armenian church, and
also to visit them for worship.
I hope that many churches in England will offer prayer for the
Armenian peoples at this significant anniversary for them, and, in
doing so, "speak today" and take a stand against such
atrocities.
Ian Gomersall
St Chrysostom's Rectory
38 Park Range
Manchester M14 5HQ