29 March 2025

When we visited Coventry Cathedral, we were in time for the weekday ‘Litany of Reconciliation’. It is said every weekday at 12 noon. Other churches associated with Coventry Cathedral join in especially on Fridays. The brief act of worship was led by a young woman and a group of students from Yale University were in the congregation.

The Litany was devised in 1980 by Canon Joseph Poole. It was loosely based on the seven deadly sins – anger, gluttony, greed, envy, sloth, lust and pride. After each of the petitions in the Litany, the congregation was invited to say together, ‘Father forgive.’

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

The hatred which divides nation from nation, race from race, class from class – Father forgive.

The covetous desires of people and nations to possess what is not their own – Father forgive.

The greed which exploits the work of human hands and lays waste the earth – Father forgive.

Our envy of the welfare and happiness of others – Father forgive.

Our indifference to the plight of the imprisoned, the homeless, the refugee – Father forgive.

The lust which dishonours the bodies of men, women and children – Father forgive.

The pride which leads us to trust in ourselves and not in God – Father forgive.

Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.