domingo, 30 de diciembre de 2012

Murdered Organist: Bishop To Lead Prayers - Sky News

The Bishop of Sheffield will today lead prayers for a church organist who died days after being attacked on his way to midnight mass on Christmas Eve.

Grandfather Alan Greaves, 68, was discovered badly beaten near his church in High Green, Sheffield, on Monday.

Two men are in custody after being arrested yesterday on suspicion of murder.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said one was in his 20s and the other in his 40s. Both were from Sheffield.

He added: "Officers are searching a number of properties in the area and there has been a high-visibility police presence in High Green today."

The Bishop of Sheffield, Dr Steven Croft, will lead this morning's service at St Saviour's Mortomley and High Green Church, as the community gathers to remember Mr Greaves.

Church organist Alan Greaves murdered on Christmas Eve
Mr Greaves has been described as a 'gentle soul'

A spokesman for The Diocese of Sheffield said: "The church service will follow the normal pattern of a liturgy reflecting the Sunday after Christmas, but prayers will be offered for Alan, his wife Maureen and his family as well as for the wider congregation and community."

Detectives are still appealing for anyone with any information about the murder to come forward.

Mr Greaves, a father-of-four, died in hospital on Thursday after suffering serious head injuries in the attack.

Police are treating his death as murder but say the motive for it is unclear.

His widow, church community worker Maureen Greaves, 63, told The Sun: "There was no motive.

"We are devastated. It is just not what you expect, somebody to walk down the street and get murdered - and at this time of year as well, it's just dreadful."

Police officer carries bags to a van
Police say they're baffled by the killing

Canon Simon Bessant, from St Saviour's, described Mr Greaves as a "good man" who fell victim to an evil act.

He said: "He was a gentle soul. He wasn't foolish - he would have handled the situation as best as anyone would, but we don't know what he encountered."

Canon Bessant said Mr Greaves had been attacked 250 yards from the church and that his family had been at home.

"His wife wants justice but she doesn't want vengeance. She is not embittered but obviously she wants this person to be caught."

Mr Greaves had four adult children and had recently become a grandfather to twin boys adopted by his daughter in Mozambique.

He and his wife had recently set up a food bank and community project in the area where he was killed.

Dr Croft has sent a message to every parish in his diocese asking for prayers for Mr Greaves, his widow and their family.

In it, he said: "Please would you hold Alan's family and the church family at High Green, with Simon Bessant the Vicar and the wider family of Church Army, in your prayers in the coming days and especially this Sunday morning."

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