The Bishop of Truro has urged compassion and condemned violence "wherever it happens" in the wake of the murder of a French clergyman in Rouen yesterday (26/7).

The Right Reverend Tim Thornton issued a pastoral letter to all licensed clergy and parishes within the Diocese of Truro, following the murder of Father Jacques Hamel in Rouen.

He wrote: “Yesterday morning I attended a Mass in the Abbaye de Landevennec in Brittany. Many of you will know we have a close link with the Benedictine abbey through St Guenole, who came from France to Cornwall bringing the gospel message of God’s love for all. For many years church leaders have taken pilgrims there to pray and talk together about our differences and our similarities and to pray for unity.

“Every day they celebrate the Mass at 11.15am they will do so again today. Of course their prayers like ours will go out to the community in Rouen grieving over the horrific attack that took place yesterday.

“We condemn violence wherever it happens and the wicked nature of this latest atrocity is shocking. I am sure we will all be praying for our colleagues in the Roman Catholic Church this week. I have sent a message of support to Bishop Mark, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Plymouth.”

The bishop offered a prayer for unity, and asked people to continue witnessing the good news message of the gospel, as well as calling for prayers “for peace and justice,” and the message that “light will shine out of the darkness.”

He added: “At a time when there is understandable anxiety and real fear on the part of many there is a tendency to stand aback from others and to build metaphorical walls between us. This is not the Christian way. At this time we need to ensure we continue to extend hospitality to others and to work hard to ensure we listen to all members of our community.”

Church leaders and their congregations are being advised to remain alert, although there is no current intelligence to suggest any attack of this nature has been planned in the UK.

Father Jacques Hamel, 84, was killed during a hostage taking after two armed men who stormed his church in St Etienne de Rouvray, a suburb of Rouen in northern France.

The two attackers, who claimed allegiance to ISIS, attacked the church during morning mass and slit Father Hamel's throat before being shot dead by police.

However church leaders are recommended to review security plans and to encourage their followers to be vigilant. Any suspicious behaviour should be reported immediately through 999 or the anti-terrorist hotline 0800 789 321.