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Statements from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York welcoming the release of Gillian Gibbons

3 December 2007

 

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has welcomed news of Gillian Gibbons’ pardon and release in Sudan. Speaking in Singapore, where he is convening an academic conference between Christian and Muslim scholars, Dr Williams said that the news had come as a relief:

“I am very glad and relieved for Gillian Gibbons and for her family that this time of extreme anxiety has now come to an end. It will be welcome news to all in Britain and elsewhere, Muslims included, who have seen this episode as a most unhappy overreaction which has distressed people of all faiths and has caused such suffering to someone manifestly dedicated to the welfare of Sudan and its people.”

 

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has made the following statement on news of the release of school teacher Gillian Gibbons:

“I give thanks that common sense has finally prevailed for Gillian Gibbons who has been the victim of misunderstanding and muddled thinking.

“For all of us the message must be for people to love the stranger in their community better; to treat with the decency and respect that we would want them to afford to us.  

“I am hopeful that for ourselves if we have strangers in our midst, we will do better and treat those different from us with the care, understanding and loving kindness that Gillian displayed to the children she taught.

“I also hope that the same media focus and energy given to Gillian’s case may now be directed to helping those people in Darfur and pressure may be applied upon the President to ensure his own people are released from their suffering.”