sunday reflection: coventry litany of reconciliation

I had my journal out, and was copying the words down from the prayer that was framed and hanging on the wall. It was called the Coventry Litany of Reconciliation. As I finished scribbling the verses, the old man volunteering at the reception desk asked I had heard of Coventry. He voice was almost a soft whisper, and his British accent was spot on perfect. I told him I had not heard of it, and he asked if it would be okay if he told me the story.

Coventry is a town and England, and during World War II it was the Detroit of the Britain… meaning it was the home of major factories producing trucks and other vehicles for the war effort. Of course, this meant it was a prime target. And so, on November 14, 1940, over 450 German planes dropped their bombs on Coventry… killing over a thousand people and wiping out the city.

One of the most prized structures that was destroyed was the town’s cathedral, which dated back to the 12th century.

In retaliation for the Coventry bombing (and others), the British later destroyed the German town of Dresden.

After the war was over, many Germans flocked to Coventry to help rebuild the city, specifically the cathedral. And in response, many Brits from Coventry traveled to Germany to help rebuild Dresden, specifically the hospital.

And rising from the ashes of the new cathedral in Coventry there now stands the Chapel of Reconciliation. And in that chapel, every Friday to this day, tourists and locals gather around the altar and pray this prayer of confession and reconciliation:

"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 men and nations to possess what is not their own.
Father forgive.

The greed which exploits the labors of men and lays waste the earth.
Father forgive.

Our indifference to the plight of the homeless and refugees.
Father forgive.

The lusts which use for ignoble ends the bodies of men and women.
Father forgive.

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


“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

For those today who have ears to hear, let them hear… and let them pray this prayer.