CAPTION: St Mark's Church in Ford is within the WW2 bomb cordon
Chaplains offer support to Plymouth residents displaced by WW2 bomb
Chaplains from the Devon Faith Response team have been asked to provide support for Plymouth residents who have had to evacuate their homes after an unexploded World War 2 bomb was found in the suburb of Keyham.
Around 3250 people have been asked to leave their homes and a 309m cordon has been put in place, according to the BBC.
An emergency centre for people displaced by the bomb has been opened at Plymouth Life Centre.
The Anglican chaplains who are part of the Devon Faith Response Team are members of the clergy who have been trained to offer pastoral support for major incidents.
Bishop James Visits Life Centre
Today the Bishop of Plymouth, the Rt. Rev’d James Grier, visited the Life Centre. The Bishop’s has an office at St Mark’s church in Ford, which is within the cordon. He said “Earlier today I saw people staggering down the streets in Keyham with possessions in bags in the pouring rain.
“I can’t begin to imagine how distressing it is for people to be told that they need to leave their homes with no idea when they will be able to return. There is also the anxiety about what might happen to their home while they’re away. Many were told yesterday but some are only now finding out whilst at work and with their children at school.
The Bishop of Plymouth said he was praying for everyone affected by the WW2 bomb and praised the support offered by Plymouth City Council and others
Plymouth City Council and other partners are doing a phenomenal job. The Life Centre is full of people in hi-vis jackets doing all they can to offer support at every level for those affected. They are sorting overnight accommodation and practical solutions.
There are appropriate spaces for children, the vulnerable and people’s dogs alongside hot drinks and emotional support. I was so impressed by what they have produced in no time at all and that everyone was so positive and caring with such wonderful personal care for each individual.
The one thing they don’t know is how long it will be before people can return. My prayers are with those who are putting their lives at risk to make it safe for everyone else.
The Bishop, who was also on the ground in Keyham after the gun attacks there in 2021, said the situation had also brought home to him the war in Gaza.
“People’s distress at leaving their homes is very real and compounded by the tragic shootings in the same community only a couple of years ago. I in no way want to diminish that, but I’m also struck by quite how much support is being shown. This is a crisis in our midst but it’s one in which people are being cared for and in which no one needs to face anything on their own.
“In my mind constantly has been the people of Gaza. As I have a glimpse into the trauma of people having to leave their homes and worry about when they will return, it’s inconceivable to consider what that must be like in a war zone, where there isn’t the amazing support that these local people are receiving.
“Today I pray for all those effected in Keyham and those who are looking after them. I pray for Keyham and give thanks for the resilience and the profound community spirit and concern for one another. I pray also for those displaced in Gaza who lack support, food and hope of a return.”
