London priest directed by emergency personnel to stay away from scene

Published: 2005-07-07

LONDON (CNS) -- A London priest who lives near one of the four bombing sites said he stayed away from the scene at the direction of emergency personnel. "The image of emergency services wanting priests at the scene has finished," said Father Peter Newby of St. Mary Moorfield Parish. "They don't want priests there." The parish is situated in London's financial district, which was targeted by the bombers July 7. Father Newby told Catholic News Service that his church was just "a couple of hundred yards" from one of the blasts, but he did not go to the scene because emergency services wanted everyone evacuated. He said that within hours stillness had descended on his section of London, which was normally bustling with people. "It is really quiet outside; you wouldn't know anything had happened," said Father Newby.

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