Julie Nicholson
Julie Nicholson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1953 |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Former vicar |
| Known for | A Song for Jenny |
| Spouse | Greg Nicholson |
| Children | 3, including Jenny Nicholson |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Church | Church of England |
Congregations served | Parish of St Aidan with St George, Bristol |
Julie Nicholson is a British author and the mother of the late Jenny Nicholson, who was killed at the age of 24, when suicide bomber Mohammad Sidique Khan detonated a bomb in the London Underground in the 7 July 2005 London bombings.[1]
Jenny Nicholson
Jenny Nicholson was a 24 year old musician who was killed on her journey from Reading into central London, on her way to work. She was killed in a suicide attack by Mohammad Sidique Khan on the eastbound Circle line at Edgware Road station after her train was diverted from the usual route due to a mechanical problem.[2] A few minutes prior to the explosion, Jenny had phoned her boyfriend, James White.[3]
Response
Julie Nicholson was on holiday in Wales when she and her husband, Greg, learnt Jenny had died. After going on extended compassionate leave, Julie decided to step down as priest from the parish of St Aidan with St George, in Bristol, eight months after Jenny's death, since she could not forgive the attacker.[3][4] While announcing her intention to resign as vicar, Julie described how “It's very difficult to stand behind an altar and lead people in words of peace and reconciliation and forgiveness when I feel very far from that myself.”[5] Julie continued to work in Bristol with a community youth group.[6]
While mourning Jenny's death, Julie began to write down her thoughts. These were later turned into a book: A Song for Jenny.[7] A film of the same name was released on 5 July 2015, as an adaptation of the book. It was released almost exactly 10 years after Jenny's death.[8]
References
- ^ "Rev Julie Nicholson: 'No forgiveness' for 7/7 bombers". BBC News. 3 July 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
- ^ "After London attack, mom of 7/7 bombings victim tells families: 'Allow grief to do its work'". CBC Radio. 7 June 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
- ^ a b "Vicar who cannot forgive tube bombers quits pulpit". the Guardian. 7 March 2006. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
- ^ "A mother who cannot forgive her daughter's killers - 4th level Religious and moral education". BBC Bitesize. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "'It may be Holy Week, but I still can't forgive...'". The Independent. 1 April 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "Mum's tribute to daughter killed in London bombings". The Independent. 1 April 2009. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
- ^ "Vicar struggles to forgive the terrorists who killed her daughter". BerkshireLive. 7 July 2010. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
- ^ "BBC One drama A Song For Jenny is a painful look back to the events of July 7". Bournemouth Daily Echo. 6 July 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2021.