THE Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, writes exclusively for the Evening Press about the horror of September 11

September 11, 2001, will remain etched in our memories forever. Rather like I used to hear my parents tell of the way they remembered exactly where they were and what they were doing when the outbreak of the Second World War was announced, so each of us has very clear memories of where and when we heard the terrible news.

I was in the middle of a fairly routine afternoon meeting with the Bishop of Selby when my media adviser rang to tell me of the first strike.

Within a short time he had telephoned again to tell me of the strike against the second tower, and that it was thought that worse was yet to come.

I could hardly take in the news and, as I went downstairs to look briefly at the television, I could not believe what I was seeing - the sort of stuff of which horror movies are made.

Here was a horror beyond all horrors staring me in the face - the wicked and evil destruction of thousands of innocent human lives and the tragic loss with which so many families in the United States and beyond are still attempting to come to terms.

With such a supposedly sophisticated State intelligence and security system, how could this have happened? A terrorist strike in the very heart of the United States of America, and the world's strongest superpower suddenly thrown into confusion and despair?

The President was soon to speak of the declaration of "war" on the terrorist and we know of the subsequent offensive against the cruel regime of the Taliban in Afghanistan - an offensive launched with the considerable support of the international community in pursuit, particularly, of Osama bin Laden.

He is still thought to be at large, as are members of his al Qaida network. The world remains tense and alert to the possibility of further terrorist attacks - who knows where?

Now there is talk of an attack on Iraq and the dictatorial regime of Saddam Hussein, believed to possess weapons of mass destruction.

One of the many reasons why we remember is, of course, to continue to express our horror and grief at what has happened and in particular the huge loss of life. We remember especially the loved ones, the families, the relatives and friends still asking Why? ' and still seeking to come to terms with what has happened and its continuing implications for their lives.

We also remember the past so that things might be better for the future for the whole human family.

And as a clue to what that future might be, we remember also so many, and not least those of the emergency services, who demonstrated the extent to which human beings are prepared to go in their care for and service of others.

There were many acts of kindness, of gentleness, of generosity, of compassion and of self-sacrifice, too.

The altogether better and more hopeful side of our human nature was clearly evident on that day in stark contrast to the dark wickedness of the evil deed.

I remember that, along with millions of others the world over, we held a special service of remembrance in the Minster.

Already hundreds of people had come to light their candles - signs of the light of Christ; hymns of hope, praise and thanksgiving were sung to celebrate the fact that nothing in creation can separate us from the love of God.

Nothing can separate us from the love of God. No evil. No malice. No individual act of terror or corporate display of callous disregard for human life can separate us from the love of God.

For ours is a God of love who on this anniversary of September 11, 2001 continues to be alongside us to guide us into the future with confidence and without fear.

In Him we trust and in so doing we are challenged not to be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good.