Moderator sends condolences to French following Nice massacre

THE Moderator of the General Assembly, Rt Rev Dr Russell Barr, has written to Emmanuel Cocher, the French Consul General in Edinburgh, to express his condolences following the attack in Nice. It is just a few short months since Mr Cocher attended a service at St Giles Cathedral where the victims of the attacks in Paris last November were remembered.

Dr Barr said: ‘I write to express shock and sadness on behalf of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland to you and your compatriots. Like many others listening to the news this morning and hearing of the terrible events in Nice, I am appalled at this further dreadful attack faced by the people of France in recent months.

‘A joyful occasion of celebration was turned into a scene of horror. Please be assured of my own prayers and those of the members of the Church of Scotland at this very sad time for France.’

On Facebook, Rev Jonathan Fleming from Erskine, who created a well-received social media campaign for peace following the Paris attacks last November, said: ‘How much more can this country take? Thoughts and prayers for the people of Nice, as well as all affected by mindless acts of violence.’