PRESS INFORMATION Newsdesk From: Christine Doyle/Graeme Pringle To: Date: Tuesday 10th February 2015 Tel: 07769 738180/07507 196495 The relationship between Coventry and Dresden to be deepened as the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of Coventry and the Dean of Coventry travel to Germany to take part in the 70th anniversary commemorations. From the destruction of the Second World War, Coventry and Dresden have forged a unique partnership. One which is founded in reconciliation and the desire for hope in the future. As the people of Dresden pause to remember the 70th anniversary of the Allied bombing raids between the 13th and 15th February, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, the Right Reverend Dr Christopher Cocksworth, Bishop of Coventry and the Very Reverend John Witcombe, Dean of Coventry are part of a group participating in events and activities. The group, which also includes local civic dignitaries and members of the Friends of Coventry Cathedral, will take part in a variety of events including services and civic ceremonies. Included in the itinerary is the 6th International Dresden Peace Prize Award which will be presented to HRH the Duke of Kent. The representatives from Coventry and Warwickshire will come together to join in the Human Chain, an event where the people of Dresden form a human chain to stand firm against far right groups that try to exploit the anniversary of the bombing to sow again the seeds of fear and hate. In 2013, over 13,000 joined hands to form a human chain of peace to block a neo-Nazi march. Bishop Christopher’s itinerary includes preaching at the ecumenical service at the Kreuzkirche where he will talk about the significance of the Coventry Dresden Cope - a piece of art, created by Terry Duffy, which is to be separated in two with one half given to the Anglican Church in Britain and the other to the Lutheran Church in Germany. The Right Reverend Dr Christopher Cocksworth, Bishop of Coventry: “On Ash Wednesday 1945 the historic centre of Dresden, and tens of thousands of its inhabitants, was reduced to dust and ashes. The destruction and death of that night 70 years ago remains an abiding symbol of the damage done by war. The reconciliation between Coventry and Dresden, bound together in solidarity of war-time suffering, is a sign to the world that peace is possible and that living in friendship is better than dying as enemies. It will be a great honour to take part in the 70th Anniversary of terrifying events in the past, to give thanks for the relationship between our two cities today, and to pray for peace of the whole world” The Dean of Coventry’s itinerary includes the presentation of a Cross of Nails to the Oberkirche and the opportunity to share experiences from the Community of the Cross of Nails, of which he is also Dean. This world-wide network of peace-building organisations has over 60 members in Germany. “With so many conflicts and so much hurt in the world at the moment, it’s particularly poignant that two former enemies are joining together to remember their shared history and to celebrate, and confirm, their on- going partnership as a reconciled people,” commented the Very Reverend John Witcombe, Dean of Coventry, “The friendship between Coventry Cathedral and the Frauenkirche is an example as to how organisations such as ours can play a positive part in the on-going reconciliation process.” The commemoration activities will draw to a close on Sunday 15th February when the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, will preach the sermon in the Frauenkirche. Archbishop Justin was a Canon at Coventry Cathedral for several years and has now made the Cathedral the base for his Reconciliation Ministry. -ends- For press enquires please contact Christine Doyle on 07769738180 or Graeme Pringle on 07507196495 Notes to Editors: The Bombing of Dresden The Bombing of Dresden was an attack on the city of Dresden, the capital of the German state of Saxony, that took place in the final months of the Second World War. In four raids between 13th and 15th February 1945, 722 heavy bombers of the British Royal Air Force (RAF) and 527 of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) dropped more than 3,900 tons of high-explosive bombs and incendiary devices on the city. The bombing and the resulting firestorm destroyed over 1,600 acres (6.5 km2) of the city centre. An estimated 22,700 to 25,000 people were killed. The itinerary Bishop Christopher 12th February Private viewing of ‘The Dresden Project’ by Monica Petzal (this artwork is due to be installed in Coventry Cathedral later in the year). Dresden Trust Medal of Honour to be awarded to Mayor Orosz. Welcome dinner. 13th February Visit ‘Panometre’ project ‘Dresden 1945 – Tragedy and Hope of a European City’. Delegates from Coventry to be entered into the Golden Book of the City of Dresden. Commemoration at the Frauenkirche in the presence of the Federal President, Joachim Gauck. Human Chain in the city centre. Preaching at the Ecumenical service at the Kreuzkirche. 14th February Attending the 6th International Dresden Peace Prize Award. Reception at the Dresden Royal Palace. Mozart’s Requiem Dinner 15th February Attending the service at the Frauenkirche where the Archbishop of Canterbury will preach. The Dean of Coventry 13th February Memorial event at the Frauenkirche. Human Chain in the city centre. Open air event at the Synagogue to mark the ‘Route for Commemoration on the way to Reconciliation’. Attending the Ecumenical service at the Kreuzkirche. Taking part in the memorial ‘Night of Silence’ at the Frauenkirche. 14th February Attending the 6th International Dresden Peace Prize Award. Meeting with the Friends of the Frauenkirche. Presenting a Cross of Nails to the Oberkirche. 15th February Attending the service at the Frauenkirche where the Archbishop of Canterbury will preach Biographies The Right Reverend Dr Christopher Cocksworth Bishop of Coventry Christopher Cocksworth, Bishop of Coventry, read Theology at the University of Manchester. After teaching in secondary education, he trained for ordination and pursued doctoral studies. Bishop Christopher has served in parochial and chaplaincy ministry and in theological education, latterly as Principal of Ridley Hall, Cambridge. In 2010 he was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity by the University of London for his services to education. He has written a number of books and articles in the area of Christian theology and worship with his last book, Holding Together: Gospel, Church and Spirit being shortlisted for the 2011 Michael Ramsey Prize. Bishop Christopher is Co-Chair of the Joint Implementation Commission of the Anglican-Methodist Covenant, and is Chair of the Faith and Order Commission of the Church of England. He entered the House of Lords in January 2013. He is married to Charlotte and they have five sons, two daughters-in-law, and one granddaughter. Among Christopher’s hobbies, is organic fruit and vegetable gardening, and although a latecomer growing fruit and vegetables is increasingly becoming quite a passion. The Very Reverend John Witcombe Dean of Coventry John Witcombe was installed as the Dean of Coventry in January 2013. Previously he was the Director of Discipleship and Ministry in the Diocese of Gloucester where he led a large team of staff and volunteers whose task is to develop all forms of vocation and ministry within the diocese. Alongside this, he was a Residentiary Canon in Gloucester Cathedral, playing a full part in the liturgical and teaching life of the cathedral. John is passionate about the Anglican tradition and the Church of England in particular. As the leader of the cathedral community and a member of the Bishop's Staff team, he is developing the relationship between the Cathedral and the Diocese in Coventry. Having been ordained twenty-eight years ago, John began his ministry in the ex- mining parish of Birtley in County Durham. In subsequent years he has led a church on a social housing estate in Nottingham, worked with Anglican, Baptist, Methodist and URC members as the Vicar of an ecumenical church in Sheffield, served as the Team Rector of Uxbridge and spent seven years as the Dean of St John’s College, Nottingham. John is married to Ricarda, who is also ordained. They married in 2000, after John's first wife died, and share five children - a son and four daughters - one of whom is married, whilst the others are still either living at home or returning at regular intervals. Days off are typically spent walking in the Cotswolds, around a pub lunch. He enjoys the arts - galleries, theatre, music, film, and novels. He plays the flute and piano. He and Ricarda are regular attenders of the Greenbelt Christian arts festival. The Coventry Dresden Cope Words by artist – Terry Duffy (8th October 2014) The Coventry Dresden Cope is a symbol of unity within a world shaken by conflict and extremism. The Coventry Dresden Cope is a large complex artwork that has taken two years to complete and hangs nearly four metres high in oils on hot pressed board. It was created as a single integrated artwork but it is purposely in two halves, symbolising the historic differences between Coventry and Dresden, Britain and Germany. Each half can stand alone, but each half clearly and deliberately needs the other to reconcile its overall strength, narrative, and message. The Coventry Dresden Cope was first developed from my experience of ‘Victim, no resurrection’ being installed at both Coventry and Dresden. We cannot doubt the historic similarities and mutual respect for each other’s cultures. Nevertheless, we continue to remember and reconcile each year the bloodshed and nowhere more symbolically than through the Coventry Dresden bombings.