Prayer stations set up in Rotherham during child sexual exploitation court trials

Prayer stations have been set up in Rotherham Minster for the duration of the trials of five men and two women accused of roles in the sexual exploitation of children in Rotherham over more than 10 years.

By The Newsroom

Published 16th Dec 2015, 09:44 BST

A number of stations have been set up as a focal point for people to gather, pray, reflect and light candles during the trials.

The Minster will open from 9am-1pm and 2pm-4pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

On Wednesdays and Saturdays it will be open from 9am until noon.

The stations will remain for the duration of the trials.

Suspects on trial were arrested in the wake of an independent report by Professor Alexis Jay into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham, which was published last summer.

David Bliss, Vicar of Rotherham Minster, said: “The period of the trials will be a very difficult and painful time for Rotherham – a town that is still feeling the long reaching consequences of the Jay report.

“We hope by offering this kind of focal point in the community, it will provide a service to people that need to quietly make time to pray and reflect.”