THE NEW Dean of Durham spoke of the sombre moment in our history as he was installed in the post last Thursday.

Delivering his sermon after being instituted, installed and welcomed to the diocese before a packed congregation at Durham Cathedral, the Very Rev Michael Sadgrove said March 20, 2003, St Cuthbert's Day, would be remembered more as the day the war began.

He said: "It is a sombre moment in our history. We have prayed that this cup might pass from us.

"Now we are compelled to drink it, and its taste is very bitter.

"We gather here with sadness that it has come to this, and with fear for a future we cannot know.

"Many voices pleaded not to go to war without United Nations backing, but we are where we are.

"We must pray that the conflict will be brief with as little loss of life as possible. We must pray for relations between the faith communities both in the Middle-East and here, for this war will ratchet up tensions that are already strained.

"We must pray for our leaders and the armed forces. We must pray for the Iraqi people.

"We must love our enemies, for this conflict will make many more of them.

"And because war erodes truth and brutalises people, we must pray in the words of tonight's gospel that the darkness may not overtake us.

"While this conflict lasts, a large candle will burn each day at the centre of this cathedral, with the invitation to all-comers to light candles to stand for our thoughts, longings and prayers."

London-born and Oxford-educated Dean Sadgrove, 52, is a former Vicar of Alnwick in Northumberland and previously Dean of Sheffield. Married to Jenny, a psychotherapist, they have four grown-up children.

People at all three Sunday services at Durham Cathedral prayed for both sides in the conflict.

Canon Martin Kitchen said: "We have been praying for a speedy end to the conflict, the safety of all services people, for Iraqis' freedom from oppression, and for peace and reconciliation."