Churches and Christian leaders have issued prayers and statements following the news of terrorist attacks in Brussels:
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said:
‘In the great Holy Week of Christian prayer and mercy, the Brussels attacks shock all those who seek peace and justice through the terrible cruelty and utter separation from all that is of God. Once again we see the contrast between the vain efforts to terrify through indiscriminate murder, and the call of God to be those who show mercy, who seek peace and pursue it. Let us at every service this week pray for those caught up in the traumatic events at the airport and in the City of Brussels.’
See the Archbishop of Canterbury’s website for the full statement.
The Conference of European Churches (CEC) grieves the loss of life and condemns violent attacks:
‘In this season of Lent and Holy Week, we lament such outbursts of violence’, said CEC General Secretary Fr Heikki Huttunen. ‘As we heal together as inhabitants of Brussels and Europe—and brothers and sisters in humanity—we need to find our way anew, and must all contribute to building societies where everyone feels secure and partakes of the common good.’
See the CEC web page for the full statement.
The Church of Scotland has published a prayer for all those caught up in the violence in Brussels.
The Archbishop of Dublin, Michael Jackson, said:
‘As we travel through Holy Week towards Easter and the Resurrection, a time of sorrow and suffering followed by a time of hope, let us pray that there can be an end to such terror attacks and hope for a future in which peace and security will prevail over violence and destruction and the loss of human life.’
See the Church of Ireland website for the full statement.
The World Council of Churches (WCC) has strongly condemned the attacks:
‘I grieve such a wicked and indiscriminate attack on ordinary human beings has taken place in Brussels, in a way that suggests a deliberate targeting of the heart of Europe’, said general secretary, Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit.
‘Apart from the loss and suffering this act of violence has directly caused, it creates wider tensions which make it more difficult for Europe and Europeans to play the constructive role they need to in support of those who are seeking to escape the ongoing agony which is being experienced in several parts of the Middle East’, said Tveit.
For the full statement see the WCC website.
