Carey's words of comfort for girls' parents

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, tonight sent out words of sympathy to the parents of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.

Dr Carey called on people to “watch and weep” with the parents of the two girls in coming days.

He described news that the bodies discovered in remote woodland in Suffolk, were now certain to be the 10-year-olds, as devastating.

He said: “This is the worst of all possible news for Holly and Jessica’s parents, their families and friends, for the people of Soham and for that wider community keeping vigil with them.

“We have been hoping for a safe return for Holly and Jessica but the grim discoveries of the weekend have moved this ordeal into what has already been described as an abyss.

“At times like these there is nothing we can say that can stem the waves of grief, regret and reproach.

“Our first duty is to express our love and our deep, deep sympathy to Holly and Jessica’s parents, and to watch and weep with them in these dark days.”

He called on the nation to pray for them.

“In the midst of this tragedy, we can only take our hurt and grief at this bewildering tragedy and place it in God’s hands, remembering the words of Psalm 23; Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil; for thou art with me’ remembering that God’s unconquerable love, shown to us in Jesus, surrounds Holly and Jessica and their parents. Pray for them.”