Homilies are not my strong point, so I will be brief.
Today is the third anniversary of a sequence of events which changed the course of contemporary world history, and lead to the loss of several thousand vibrant and innocent lives: we will remember them.
Those who died amidst the gnarled and twisted wreckage which remained following the devastation also left behind families, loved ones and friends whose lives have been equally gnarled and torn: we will remember them.
And as we look at the continuing destruction and horror which follows in the wake – whether this be in Madrid, Beslan or Jakarta: we will remember them.
“Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”
Laurence Binyon
This is also the anniversary of the U.S.-backed fascist coup in Chile. Its victims deserve to be remembered too.