Church leaders have called on Christians to pray for “the soul of our nation” following the murder of Henry Nowak, a case that has sparked widespread debate and division across England.
The 18-year-old finance student was stabbed to death in December by Vickrum Digwa, who had falsely claimed that Nowak had been racist.
When officers arrived at the scene, Henry Nowak was handcuffed as he lay dying on the ground. Despite telling police he had been stabbed and could not breathe, he was not initially treated as the victim.
On Monday, Digwa, 23, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years for Nowak’s murder.
The sentencing has prompted protests in Southampton and widespread criticism online. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described the case as a cause for “pure cold rage”.
Farage has also alleged that the police response reflects “two-tier policing” and has highlighted a “Police Anti-Racism Commitment” document that has come under scrutiny following the case.
In response to growing tensions, the Church of England’s lead bishops for racial justice, Bishop Arun Arora and Bishop Rosemarie Mallett, have urged people to reject division and instead pray for unity, peace and “the soul of our nation”.
The bishops also echoed the words of Henry Nowak’s father, who said the family “do not want Henry’s murder to be used to create further hatred, division or tension”.
The church leaders lamented "the words of those calling for a different kind of response, one of rage, ahead of the violence and attacks against the police on Tuesday”.
Describing the killing as “an act of evil”, the bishops said they grieved alongside Henry's family and friends and noted that “there are clearly questions about the manner of Henry Nowak’s death”.
They also backed the Bishop of Southampton's call for a peaceful and prayerful response, urging conversations to be conducted with compassion and understanding and rejecting violence.
The statement also expressed support for police officers, the Sikh community and others affected by the disorder in Southampton, and called for prayers for all those now living and working in fear of further violence.
As of Thursday morning, two people have been arrested after protesters clashed with police near the site of Henry Nowak’s fatal stabbing.
Police said eleven officers and one police dog were injured during the disorder.