Rhys Jones: Thousands gather to say goodbye

Sep 6 2007

The coffin of Rhys Jones arrives at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral, his father, Stephen, was one of the bearers. Picture: Colin Lane _320

Bishop James Jones' sermon for Rhys

This is the text of the sermon preached by the Rt Rev James Jones, the Bishop of Liverpool, at the funeral of 11-year-old Rhys Jones:

"Melanie, Stephen and Owen, in all the heartbreaking sadness of the last two weeks you, with Rhys, have become a beacon of light for our city.

"Your love for Rhys, your dignity and your family life have shone out and restored hope and honour to our community shamed by such a crime.

"You asked us to come in bright colours, even in football shirts, to celebrate the life and the light that sparkled out of Rhys.

"Some might be surprised that you wanted the cathedral to be filled with brightness. Some might have thought that dark colours were more suitable for the deep sorrow that has filled the heart of a nation.

"But you wanted the bright colours because they match the warmth and the fun that poured out of his young life, and from the one who always brought a smile to your face.

"The bright colours speak of Rhys’s irrepressible humour, his huge popularity that had people queuing at the door for him to come and play, and, of course, his passion for Everton and for football (I only hope he’ll forgive me for the colour of my robes today).

"But the bright colours speak of something else. They speak of your faith that Rhys lives on in another world, one which like him is full of life and light.