In his letter, Dr Williams said:

"We are all thinking of you constantly in the wake of yesterday's terrible news, and our prayers are with you. The devastation of the Cathedral is dreadful, but, as you have said yourself, it is only a sign of the real human tragedy, whose scale is so serious. We thank God that you and your people are there to offer strength and comfort to all those caught up in the personal suffering this has brought.

We hope that the rescue operations are going forward without obstacles and that the toll of casualties will not grow higher. I know that the people of Canterbury in particular, with their historic associations with Christ Church, will be sharing very specially in prayer for you all."