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Big Wullie · Joined: 25 Apr 2007 Posts: 1149 Location: Glasgow

Please spare a thought for all the victims of Lockerbie as the twentieth anniversary approaches

Father Keegans:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7788322.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7788387.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/7777808.stm

My heartfelt sympathies go out to all the families left to pick up the pieces and as is every 21 December I think of them all and their traumas.

I think of those poor souls who perished and pray this never happens again.

God be with them all.

Please Light A

on 21 December and remember them all

scotkaz · Joined: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 527

I will never forget that night as long as I live.

Started out for us as a simple night. Having Christmas hampers delivered and us trying to fit the goodies into the cupboards as I remember.

Then there was a newsflash, we could hear in the background about a plane crash but it mentioned Scotland and we ran into the living room to hear. Goodies and all were pushed to the side as we watched in horror. We never thought something like this would happen in Scotland.

It took a life of it's own really. The sights and sounds of that night I will never forget.

My heart and prayers go to all who perished that tragic night. I am thinking right now especially of Dr Jim Swire's daughter but I know many more perished.

Eternal Rest Grant them Oh Lord. And Let Perpetual Light shine upon them. May they Rest in peace.

Lydia · Joined: 06 Nov 2008 Posts: 82

I think we will all remember when we heard of that terrible tragedy.

I pray for the dead but they are now safe and out of harms way, but the loved ones left behind need our prayers more as they must still feel the grief and useless waste of that night.

God bless them all
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We are the parents in Scotland denied justice for our children who had illegal post mortem's or had organs removed illegally at post mortem.

Iain McKie · Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 263 Location: Ayr, Scotland.

I can do no better in remembering those touched by the Lockerbie Disaster that repeat Father Keegans oration to the Scottish Pariament this week.

TWENTY years on, Father Patrick Keegans, who narrowly escaped death in Lockerbie, reflected yesterday in the Scottish Parliament on the disaster
………………………………………………………………………………………….

"AND I will lead the blind in a way they know not; in paths they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, and rough places into level ground" (Is. 42, 16).

These words from the Prophet Isaiah have great significance in my life. When I was the parish priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Lockerbie, I was in my house at 1 Sherwood Crescent on the evening of 21 December, 1988. My mother, Mary Keegans, was with me.

The darkness came. At 7:04pm Pan Am flight 103, destroyed by a bomb on board the aircraft, crashed into the town of Lockerbie. The darkness came. The lights went out. The house shook violently. An almighty explosion tore Sherwood Crescent apart; and then there was a silence and stillness, and still the darkness.

Then another kind of darkness took over: the thick, suffocating darkness that comes from extreme grief: the darkness that invades the human spirit, that threatens to crush and destroy – 270 people had been murdered: 11 residents of Sherwood Crescent and 259 passengers on Pan Am 103.

And into that darkness there came light. That light came from the people of Lockerbie. It was the light of genuine love, care and concern for all who were suffering. The people of Lockerbie, shocked to the core, looked not to themselves but to others. They are a shining jewel in the Crown of Scotland.

The words of John's Gospel speaking about Christ come to mind: "A light shines in the darkness, a light that darkness could not overpower" (John 1, 5). The love, light and compassion of Christ were shining through the people of Lockerbie, as it does to this very day.

Approaching the 20th anniversary of the Lockerbie disaster, our thoughts and our prayers turn to those who died; and we remember our friends in the USA, our UK families, all other nationalities, and all who, in some form or another, are victims of the disaster.

At a time of great sorrow I was asked by Dr Jim Swire, whose daughter, Flora, died on the plane, to conduct a service for the UK families. The words of Isaiah came to me. I pray and reflect on these words every day: "And I will lead the blind in a way they know not; in paths they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, and rough places into level ground" (Is. 42, 16). I pray that each day God will lead us and guide us.

I am honoured to be with you in a very special place and to speak these words to you. Thank you."

Angeline · Joined: 02 Oct 2008 Posts: 148

December 21st 1988.

The shortest day, and therefore, the longest night.

My heart is with everyone who has suffered the consequences of that terrible night.

I will light my candles at 7.04pm tomorrow, and wish for peace and hope for everyone.

To take up Father Keegans' theme, a new day (truth) is dawning. The longest night is coming to an end.
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As long as one heart still holds on, then hope will never really be gone

W.Roughead · Joined: 25 Oct 2008 Posts: 120 Location: Scotland.

A very sad time, and we will all remember. I was on duty, and watched it all unfold.

I shall never forget it. It has remained forever imprinted in my memory.

The Garden of Remembrance at Dryfsdale Cemetery is a lovely place and very well cared for by the people of the Town. When you see all of the names, and some of the inscriptions it would break your heart.

Father Keegans is my Parish Priest, he is a lovely warm and sincere man. He cares passionately for his parish, and will never forget Lockerbie, for many personal reasons.

God bless all the people who died that night, not all of whom were American, other nationalities died, as well as those in Sherwood Crescent.

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“Send not to know for whom the bell tolls – it tolls for thee.” John Donne.