Spirit of Manchester

Liberation theology taught us that sin has structural roots. If we are all Manchester, and we are (“We’re in it together in this town”, 27 May), we are also all implicated in a world in which a 22-year-old makes desperate and wretchedly misguided choices.

There is no healing for the ills of mankind except compassion. If compassion dies, there is nothing left. We all need not just the idea of love. We need to feel love. We need compassion. What has gone wrong in the way we have treated Islam? Has the West shown no sympathy for Islam? Violating her territory and engaging for years in destroying her power.

Two days before the appalling bombing in Manchester we held our annual joint Christian/Muslim Women’s event to pray for peace. It is held at the ruined chapel to Our Lady in Jesmond Dene, Newcastle upon Tyne. One Muslim woman said: “I brought my daughter just to show her how people can bond. There doesn’t need to be malice.” A Christian woman said: “A lovely event for women coming together from all backgrounds and religions.”