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World News

Bishop of Exeter pens special prayer in wake of Plymouth mass shooting

by Chantalle Edmunds

The Bishop of Exeter, the Right Reverend Robert Atwell, has written a special prayer for Keyham in Plymouth and everyone who has been affected by the shootings there. 

Churches across Devon have been encouraged to use it in their Sunday services and it was said at St Thomas' Church in Keyham, where the priest, Father David Way, lead a service Sunday morning. 

Father David Way, the vicar of St Thomas', told BBC Breakfast: "Most importantly we will be praying for those who were killed.

"But something which has been taxing my mind all the way through is I also have to pray for mercy for Jake on his soul. As Christians, we have to love our enemies, and look with love on people who cause us harm.

"So yes, the community is in my heart, the people who died innocently are in my heart and in my prayers, but also everybody involved in this situation, I have to make sure we keep in our prayers.

Prayer for Keyham
God of compassion and love,
Let your peace rest gently on the people of Keyham,
Particularly on those who have lost family, friends or neighbours.
Watch over them in their grief.
Keep this community safe as it seeks time to heal,
and neighbours rebuild their lives in friendship, trust and hope;
for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

A minute's silence will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday and a special service led by the Bishop of Plymouth at the minster church of St Andrews in Plymouth on Wednesday at 10:30 am.

Concerns have been raised over how gunman Jake Davison, 22, obtained a firearms licence and carried out his rampage before turning the gun on himself.

Tributes have poured in for those shot dead by Davison, including his mother and a three-year-old girl, with flowers, cuddly toys and candles left nearby to the scene in Keyham.

An investigation is already under way into Davison's possession of a shotgun and a firearms licence, which were returned to him after being removed at the end of last year.

The police watchdog launched an investigation following a mandatory referral from Devon and Cornwall Police, which contains preliminary information that his firearm and licence were returned to him in early July this year.

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