St. Michael’s Cathedral

The statue of reconciliation.

These preserved ruins have an incredibly peaceful atmosphere which is almost tangible. It strikes me that the leaders of all warring parties should come and hold peace talks here.



[This second of Coventry's cathedrals was destroyed on 14 November 1940, when the German Luftwaffe raided the historic city centre of Coventry. The raid levelled most of the city centre and devastated the cathedral building. Despite the destruction, the west tower of the cathedral miraculously survived, relatively intact. Immediately after the bombing raid, the decision was made to build a new cathedral, leaving the shell of the medieval building to serve as a reminder of the futility and waste of war.

In the aftermath of the bombing the Provost of Coventry Cathedral, Richard Howard, made a fateful decision, one that still echoes today. He decided that rather than simply build the new cathedral as a focus for Anglican worship, the new cathedral would be at the heart of a movement for peace and reconciliation between all people, of all faiths.

On Christmas Day 1940 Provost Howard made a radio broadcast, offering a vision that when the war was over he would work to build 'a kinder, more Christ-child-like world', with the new cathedral acting as a Centre for Reconciliation. As you explore the cathedral you find numerous sculptures emphasising the focus on reconciliation and building bridges between people of all faiths and backgrounds.

Britain Express]

HBM everyone, here’s hoping the new week will be a peaceful one wherever you are.