Arrangements for Hillsborough Memorial Service
The Hillsborough Memorial Service will be held here at Liverpool Cathedral on Saturday, April 15, its 28th anniversary.
It will begin a pattern of reflective annual services that will alternate between the city’s two cathedrals.
An annual memorial service will no longer take place at Anfield, at the request of the families belonging to the Hillsborough Family Support Group (HFSG), which organised it.
The new, simple service will give people a chance to continue to remember the victims of Hillsborough and pray for the families and all those affected.
It is the initiative of the Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Reverend Paul Bayes, and the Archbishop of Liverpool, the Most Reverend Malcolm McMahon, in liaison with Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson.
The half-hour service will start at 2.45pm and maintain a minute’s silence at 3.06pm. It will include simple prayers and time for silent reflection but will not include any sermons or other words beyond the simple prayers on the service sheet.
The Bishop of Liverpool said: “On behalf of all the churches we count it a great privilege to offer this brief and simple service. We will remember the 96 before God, and pray for their families, for the survivors and for all those who remain deeply affected by the tragedy. Our Cathedrals are here for the people and we are proud and glad to offer the opportunity on April 15 to reflect and to pray in peace.”
On rare occasions, for example, if the anniversary falls on Good Friday or Easter Day, the service may need to be held on April 14 or 16.
The names of the 96 will be printed on the service sheet for private prayer and reflection. Two candles will be lit at the heart of the service – one to remember the 96 and a second for the survivors of the tragedy. And the service will be followed by a time of silence for people to be with their own sorrow and their own thoughts.
Bishop Paul continues “This year’s Hillsborough Service at Liverpool Cathedral is an act of worship - a simple, prayerful service offering the chance to continue to remember the victims of Hillsborough and pray for the families and all affected and is open to all who find it helpful to mark the anniversary in prayerful contemplation.”
“We offer prayers to all those affected by the tragedy, remembering them in our hearts and thoughts.”
Note to news & picture desks:
We respectfully request that the media do not send representatives to this year’s Hillsborough Service as it is a private act of worship and not for publication.
The Bishop of Liverpool the Rt Revd Paul Bayes would like to take this opportunity to thank the media for their support in not attending this year’s Hillsborough Service at Liverpool Cathedral.